West   Point 

An     Intimate    Picture     of     the     National 

Military  Academy  and  of  the 

Life  of  the  Cadet 


By 
Robert  Charlwood  Richardson,  Jr. 

Captain,  2nd  Cavalry,  U.  S.  Army 
Late  Assistant  Professor  of  English,  U.  S.  M.  A. 


Foreword  by 
Major-General  Hugh  L.  Scott 

Chief  of  Staff,  U.  S.  Army 


G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons 

New  York  and  London 

Gbe   Iknicfcerbocfcer   press 

1917 


COPYRIGHT,   1917 

BY 
ROBERT  CHARLWOOD  RICHARDSON.  Ji 

Second  Impression 


Ube  fmtcfcerbocfcer  press,  *Uw 


Co 

THE  CORPS  OF  CADETS 

REPRESENTATIVE  OF  THE  BEST  AMERICAN    MANHOOD,    HEIRS    TO 

A  CENTURY  OF  UNSURPASSED  ACHIEVEMENT  AND  HONORABLE 

TRADITION — THE     MOST    HIGHMINDED,    LOYAL,    AND 

DISCIPLINED  BODY  OF   STUDENT   OFFICERS   IN 

THE      WORLD — I      AFFECTIONATELY 

DEDICATE  THIS  VOLUME 


380537 


FOREWORD 

WEST  POINT  played  a  great  part  in  the  gain- 
ing of  American  independence.  It  was 
strongly  fortified  as  the  key  of  the  Hudson,  and  as 
long  as  it  was  held  by  the  patriots  of  the  Revolution 
the  New  England  colonies  could  not  be  cut  off  from 
the  others  and  conquered  one  at  a  time. 

The  lack  of  educated  officers  was  greatly  felt  by 
the  Generals  of  the  Revolution,  and  this  lack  was 
but  feebly  supplied  by  trained  officers  from  abroad. 

It  was  mainly  through  the  foresight  and  patriot- 
ism of  Washington,  Hamilton,  and  Knox  that  the 
Military  Academy  at  West  Point  was  founded, 
and  their  memory  is  still  enshrined  there. 

The  Academy  had  its  inception  in  very  small 
beginnings,  first  by  the  assignment  of  students  to 
an  Engineer  regiment  until  the  organic  act  of  1802 
created  an  Academy  with  ten  cadets.  A  firm 
establishment  was  not  made,  however,  until  the 
detail  of  Colonel  Sylvanus  Thayer  in  command  in 
1817,  who  laid  down  the  fundamental  principles 
which  govern  the  Academy  to  this  day. 

The  early  graduates  of  the  Academy  suffered 
much  from  the  jealousy  of  the  old  veterans  of  the 
Revolution  who  had  no  use  for  the  educated  sol- 
dier. These  graduates  were  too  few  to  make  them- 
selves felt  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  it  was  not  until 


vi  Foreword 

General  Winfield  Scott  eulogized  their  services 
in  the  Mexican  War  that  they  began  to  be  appreci- 
ated by  the  nation. 

Their  services  in  the  Civil  War  were  inestimable 
and  are  known  to  all  who  read  history.  After  the 
Spanish- American  War  of  1898,  the  then  Secretary 
of  War,  Mr.  Elihu  Root,  reported  that  the  services 
of  the  graduates  of  the  Military  Academy  in  that 
war  alone  had  far  more  than  repaid  the  cost  of  the 
Academy  since  its  foundation  in  1802. 

For  many  years  the  Military  Academy  was  what 
its  name  implies,  an  Academy,  but  it  has  expanded 
from  time  to  time  until  it  is  a  military  university, 
giving  instruction  for  all  branches  of  the  service 
except  the  Medical  Corps,  and  securing  for  each 
graduate  a  broad  foundation  which  enables  him 
to  specialize  in  any  direction  by  means  of  the 
various  special  schools  for  each  branch.  The  glory 
of  West  Point,  however,  is  in  the  West  Point 
character,  now  well  known  in  every  civilized  coun- 
try in  the  world,  with  its  reputation  for  fidelity, 
efficiency,  discipline,  and  general  uprightness. 
The  standing  army  of  the  United  States  has 
always  been  too  small  for  the  tasks  that  have 
been  laid  upon  it,  and  at  every  crisis  it  has  had  to 
train  large  forces  of  citizen  soldiers  summoned 
from  civil  life  for  the  emergency.  These  citizen- 
soldiers,  as  well  as  the  Regular  Army  itself,  rely 
upon  the  scientific  education  and  high  character 
of  the  West  Point  graduate  to  keep  the  art  of  war 
abreast,  if  not  a  little  ahead,  of  the  times,  and  for 


Foreword  vft 

the  initiative  and  informing  leaven  to  permeate  the 
mass  and  to  cause  the  firm  progress  of  discipline 
and  uprightness  throughout  the  whole. 

^Shortly  after  the  Mexican  War  a  verse  was 
added  to  the  old  West  Point  song  of  Benny 
Havens : 

4 'Their  [graduates]  blood  has   watered   western 
plains 

And  northern  wilds  of  snow, 
Has  dyed  deep  red  the  Everglades, 

And  walls  of  Mexico." 

Since  that  time  they  have  shed  it  copiously  in 
Cuba,  China,  and  the  Philippines,  and  they  are 
now  about  to  take  their  places  with  comrades 
from  civil  life  fighting  for  liberty  and  democracy 
on  the  battlefields  of  France. 


HUGH  L.  SCOTT. 


WASHINGTON,  D.  C., 
May, 


PREFACE 

HpHIS  book  is  intended  to  give,  aside  from  a  brief 
1  historical  sketch  of  West  Point,  something 
of  the  feelings  of  the  cadet  from  the  moment  that 
he  reports  for  duty  until  he  graduates  four  years 
later.  Perhaps  some  of  my  fellow  West  Pointers 
will  disagree  with  me  in  regard  to  my  interpre- 
tation of  their  feelings,  but  what  I  have  written 
thereon  is  drawn  from  my  own  experience  and 
from  many  conversations  with  cadets  of  to-day. 
The  customs,  traditions,  methods  of  training  of  the 
Academy  are,  I  believe,  unique,  and  they  make  an 
unforgettable  impression  upon  the  cadet.  Espe- 
cially does  he  become  imbued  with  an  almost  inde- 
finable influence  that  we  of  the  Academy  call  the 
Spirit  of  West  Point,  and  in  the  pages  that  follow 
I  have  tried  to  seize  and  translate  into  words  this 
spirit  of  the  institution.  I  have  greatly  enjoyed 
writing  these  pages  about  West  Point,  a  subject 
very  dear  to  my  heart,  and  I  offer  this  book  to  the 
public  in  the  hope  that  my  fellow  countrymen  may 
become  better  acquainted  with  the  aims  and  ideals 
of  their  National  Military  Academy. 

It  gives  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to  acknowledge 
here  my  appreciation  and  thanks  to  Lieutenant 
Colonel  L.  H.  Holt,  U.  S.  A.,  Professor  of  English 

ix 


x  Preface 

and  History  U.  S.  M.  A.,  not  only  for  his  helpful 
suggestions  and  criticisms,  but  for  his  encourage- 
ment and  unselfish  interest  in  the  preparation 
of  this  book. 

I  also  wish  to  acknowledge  the  courtesy  of  the 
Reverend  Herbert  Shipman  of  New  York,  formerly 
Chaplain  at  the  Military  Academy,  in  allowing  me 
to  use  his  poem  The  Corps,  with  which  I  close  the 
volume. 

Since  this  book  has  gone  to  press,  Colonel  John 
Biddle,  the  Superintendent,  has  been  promoted  to 
the  grade  of  Brigadier-General  and  relieved  from 
the  command  of  West  Point.  He  has  been  suc- 
ceeded by  Colonel  Samuel  E.  Tillman,  Retired, 
who  until  1910  was  the  Professor  of  Chemistry 
and  Electricity  at  the  Military  Academy.  Colonel 
Tillman  perhaps  more  than  any  officer  in  the  Army 
is  better  qualified  for  this  important  position.  He 
is  a  graduate  of  West  Point,  to  whose  advancement 
he  has  devoted  most  of  his  life  and  he  has  made 
an  exhaustive  study  of  its  needs.  His  appoint- 
ment by  the  President  seems  to  be  particularly 
felicitous  for  he  possesses  a  most  intimate  knowl- 
edge of  the  Military  Academy.  All  West  Pointers 
rejoice  that  West  Point  is  in  such  good  hands. 

ROBERT  CHARLWOOD  RICHARDSON,  Jr. 

WEST  POINT,  N.  Y., 
May,  1917. 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PACK 

I. — IN  THE  DAYS  OF  THE  REVOLUTION        .         i 
II. — THE  FIRST  HUNDRED  YEARS        .         .       19 

III. — THE  REALIZATION  OF  AN  ARCHITECT'S 

DREAM 37 

IV. — THE  POWERS  THAT  BE          ...      75 

V. — "BEAST  BARRACKS" — BLESSED  ARE  THE 
MEEK  FOR  THEY  SHALL  INHERIT  THE 
EARTH 101 

VI. — BENDING  THE  TWIG    .         .         .  .127 

VII. — THE  DISCIPLINE  OF  THE  MIND     .  .163 

VIII. — GROWING  MUSCLES     .         .         .  .     174 

IX. — LESSONS  FROM  MARS  .         .         .  .213 

X. — HENCE,  LOATHED  MELANCHOLY!  .  .     244 

XL — STRENGTHENING  THE  MORAL  FIBER  .     276 

XII. — SPIRITUAL  INFLUENCES        .         .  .291 

XIII. — THE  SPIRIT  OF  WEST  POINT         ,  .     300 

APPENDIX  305 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

EAST  VIEW  OF  WEST  POINT  FROM  THE  HUDSON 
RIVER Frontispiece 

THE  SPIRIT  OF  WEST  POINT  ...        2 

ARTILLERY  TARGET  PRACTICE         ...        6 

MAJOR  SYLVANUS  THAYER,  "  THE  FATHER  OF 
THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY"  .  .  .24 

From  the  Painting   by   Thomas   Sully,  Library, 
U.S.M.A. 

CLASS  FORMATION  IN  THE  AREA  OF  BARRACKS    .      38 
THE  ADMINISTRATION  BUILDING     ...      40 

THE  ADMINISTRATION  BUILDING  AND  RIDING 
HALL 42 

COLONEL  JONATHAN  WILLIAMS,  CORPS  OF 
ENGINEERS,  FIRST  SUPERINTENDENT  OF  THE 
MILITARY  ACADEMY  ....  44 

From  the  Painting  by  Thomas  Sully,  Library, 
U.S.M.A. 

COLONEL  JOSEPH  G.  SWIFT,  FIRST  GRADUATE 
OF  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY  ...  46 

From    the   Painting    by  Thomas  Sully,  Library, 
U.S.M.A. 


xiv  Illustrations 

PAGE 

CADETS    AT    EQUITATION    IN    THE    WORLD'S 
LARGEST  RIDING  HALL  (600  FT.  x  150  FT.)  .       48 

THE  CARVED  MANTEL  IN  THE  HALL  OF  THE 
ACADEMIC  BOARD 50 

The  Nine  Great  Warriors  of  the  World.    Sculptor, 
Laurie 

THE  NORTH  CADET  BARRACKS       .         .         .      52 
THE  CHAPEL         .         .         .         .         .         .      56 

THE  INTERIOR  OF  THE  CHAPEL      .         .         .58 

VIEW  UP  THE  HUDSON  RIVER  FROM  TROPHY 

POINT      .......       66 

"SPOONING"  ON  FLIRTATION  WALK        .         .      68 
THE  SUPERINTENDENT'S  QUARTERS         .         .       78 

Built  in  1820 

COLONEL  JOHN  BIDDLE,  CORPS  OF  ENGINEERS, 
SUPERINTENDENT 80 

"BEAST  BARRACKS " — DRAWING  MATTRESSES  .     102 

REPORTING  FOR  DUTY  .         .         .         .  .104 

TWO  HOURS  AFTER  REPORTING      .         .  .     IO8 
THE  INTERIOR  OF  A  CADET'S  ROOM  IN  BARRACKS     114 

MOVING  FROM  BARRACKS  TO  CAMP         .  .     118 

A  FIRST  LESSON  IN  SALUTING        .         .  .122 

MARCHING  TO  BARRACKS  FROM  DINNER  .     154 

The  Academic  Buildings 

THE  EXTERIOR  OF  THE  GYMNASIUM        .         .196 


Illustrations  xv 

PAGE 

GYMNASTIC  EXERCISES 200 

THE  ATHLETIC  FIELD 208 

SETTING  UP  DRILL  ON  THE  PLAIN  .  .210 
PARADE  ON  THE  PLAIN  .  .  .  .230 
AT  TARGET  PRACTICE  ON  THE  FLATS  .  .  236 
AT  P.  M.  E.  DRILL 240 

Building  a  Pontoon  Bridge 

A  REVIEW  FOR  THE  CHIEF  OF  THE  STAFF  OF 
THE  ARMY 288 

GRADUATION — PRESIDENT  WILSON  ADDRESSING 
THE  GRADUATING  CLASS  ....     302 

"We'll  bid  farewell  to  Cadet  gray  and  don  the 
Army  blue" 


The  Spirit  of  West  Point 


WEST  POINT 

CHAPTER  I 

IN  THE  DAYS  OF  THE  REVOLUTION 

DESPITE  the  successful  attempts  of  the  ar- 
chitect to  give  to  the  magnificent  new  build- 
ings at  West  Point  a  mediaeval  character,  there 
is  nothing  about  them  to  suggest  a  feeling  of 
oldness,  a  feeling  that  they  are  linked  with  the 
history  of  the  place.  Not  until  one  wanders 
among  the  ruins  of  old  Fort  Putnam,  explores 
the  crumbling  works  of  the  chain  of  Redoubts  on 
the  surrounding  hills,  or  rambles  over  the  debris 
of  Fort  Constitution  on  Constitution  Island, 
does  he  feel  the  flavor  of  age,  the  romance  of 
West  Point  of  the  past.  It  is  only  then  that  the 
imagination  races  back  over  the  years  to  the  days 
of  the  Revolution  where  it  pauses  to  rebuild  the 
stirring  events  that  filled  the  daily  lives  of  our 
ancestors  in  their  desperate  struggle  for  our 
independence.  Looking  backward  through  the 
vista  of  more  than  a  century  the  most  common- 

i 


2  West  Point 

place  happenings  seem  powdered  with  the  golden 
dust  of  romance.  Interwoven  with  each  event 
are  the  names  of  the  men  who  helped  to  make 
possible  these  free  United  States:  Washington, 
Hamilton,  Knox;  and  of  him  who  was  almost 
successful  in  thwarting  their  efforts,  the  traitor 
Benedict  Arnold. 

As  far  back  as  the  time  of  the  French  and 
Indian  Wars  both  the  Americans  and  British 
recognized  the  great  value  of  the  control  of  the 
Hudson  River.  It  would  seem,  therefore,  that 
when  the  Revolution  broke  out  both  sides  would 
take  every  means  to  seize  and  fortify  the  most 
strategic  points  along  its  banks.  Strange  to  say, 
the  Americans  were  as  indifferent  about  its  con- 
trol as  the  British,  so  that  the  Revolution  was  in 
progress  for  three  years  before  West  Point,  the 
natural  key  to  the  river's  defense,  was  fortified. 

During  the  Revolution  the  British  were  operat- 
ing from  Manhattan  on  the  south  and  Canada 
on  the  north  as  bases.  Had  they  controlled  the 
Hudson,  they  could  have  separated  the  eastern 
from  the  middle  colonies,  which  division  would 
have  prevented  the  patriots  from  military  com- 
bination and  from  interchanging  the  necessary 
commodities  for  both  sections. 

Immediately  after  the  battles  of  Concord  and 
Lexington,  the  Congress  of  New  York,  acting 
upon  a  suggestion  from  the  Continental  Congress, 
sent  a  commission  to  the  Highlands  to  select  "the 
most  proper  place  for  erecting  one  or  more  forti- 


In  the  Days  of  the  Revolution        3 

fications."  Constitution  Island,  and  the  sites 
where  Forts  Montgomery  and  Clinton1  were 
afterwards  built,  were  chosen.  Nothing  much 
was  accomplished,  however,  in  the  way  of  forti- 
fications despite  the  appointment  of  another 
commission  that  recommended  the  absolute 
necessity  for  works  at  West  Point  opposite 
Constitution  Island. 

Washington,  accompanied  by  General  Heath, 
finally  sailed  up  the  river  in  1776,  and  General 
Heath  tells  us  that  "a  glance  at  West  Point 
without  going  on  shore  evinced  that  this  post 
was  not  to  be  neglected."  Meanwhile  the  Revo- 
lution dragged  on  into  its  third  year,  1778,  but 
still  no  fortifications  at  West  Point.  Due  to 
Washington's  persistence,  work  was  begun  there 
early  in  January,  1778.  General  Parsons  with 
his  brigade  arrived  at  West  Point  on  the  20th  of 
January  and  began  the  erection  of  defenses. 
The  weather  was  extremely  cold,  provisions  were 
scarce,  the  men  inadequately  clothed,  and  the 
troops  poorly  supplied  with  the  proper  implements 
to  carry  on  their  labor.  Altogether,  a  very  de- 
pressing and  discouraging  situation  confronted 
Parsons 's  men  as  they  debouched  upon  the  Plain 
and  surveyed  their  surroundings.  If  any  thought 
could  have  given  them  courage  it  must  have 
been  the  reflection  that  at  least  they  were  some- 

1  Fort  Clinton  was  originally  named  Fort  Arnold  in  honor  of 
Benedict  Arnold,  but  after  his  defection  its  name  was  changed. 
It  stood  in  the  N.  E.  corner  of  the  Plain  at  West  Point. 


4  West  Point 

what  better  off  than  their  comrades  in  arms  down 
at  Valley  Forge,  who,  despite  their  wretched 
condition,  were  bravely  keeping  alive  the  patriotic 
fires  of  the  Revolution. 

What  a  contrast  was  that  first  sight  of  West 
Point  to  Parsons's  troops  to  that  offered  today! 
Instead  of  the  beautiful  level  parade  ground 
surrounded  by  fine  granite  buildings  they  found 
an  undulating  plain  covered  by  a  growth  of  yellow 
pines  ten  or  fifteen  feet  high,  without  house  or 
habitation.  The  only  point  of  similarity  was  the 
snow,  waist  high.  After  strenuous  efforts  to  get 
logs  from  the  neighboring  hills,  a  few  rude  huts 
were  hastily  thrown  together,  and  then,  at  the 
end  of  three  weeks,  the  soldiers  fell  to  work  with 
a  will,  building  Fort  Clinton  under  the  direction 
of  a  splendid  young  French  engineer  by  the  name 
of  de  la  Radiere.  The  cold  was  most  intense, 
but  the  men  went  up  the  river,  cut  the  timber 
for  the  Fort,  and  assembled  it  so  that  when  the 
river  was  open,  it  might  be  floated  down  to  the 
Point.  Their  hard  daily  toil  was  not  relieved  by 
any  diversions  in  the  evening,  for  West  Point 
was  a  veritable  wilderness.  General  Parsons, 
in  writing  to  Colonel  Wadsworth,  said  of  West 
Point,  "to  a  contemplative  mind  that  delights  in 
a  lonely  retreat  from  the  world  'tis  as  beautiful 
as  Sharon,  but  affords  to  the  man  who  loves  the 
society  of  the  world  a  prospect  nearly  allied  to 
the  shades  of  death.  .  .  .  News  arrives  here  by 
accident  only."  The  poor  soldiers  had  to  repair 


In  the  Days  of  the  Revolution         5 

night  after  night  to  their  little  log  huts  and  get 
what  pleasure  they  could  from  one  another's  society. 

The  rigors  of  the  winter  and  the  hardships  to 
which  the  Revolutionary  soldiers  were  accustomed 
overwhelmed  the  delicate  constitution  of  the 
brilliant  young  de  la  Radiere.  Unhappily,  he 
contracted  a  severe  cold  that  culminated  in  con- 
sumption from  which  he  died  the  following  mid- 
summer. Another  European,  attracted  by  the 
justice  of  the  Revolutionary  cause,  succeeded 
de  la  Radiere.  Thaddeus  Kosciusko,  a  Pole  of 
education  and  culture,  joined  Parsons's  officers, 
with  whom  he  became  a  great  favorite,  not  only 
on  account  of  his  engineering  ability  but  by  reason 
of  his  charming  manners,  soft  and  conciliating, 
and  by  the  elevation  of  his  mind.  One  officer 
wrote  that  he  took  much  pleasure  in  accompany- 
ing Kosciusko  with  his  theodolite  measuring  the 
heights  of  the  surrounding  mountains. 

Today  Kosciusko 's  name  is  more  familiar  to 
West  Pointers  than  de  la  Radiere's,  for  an  en- 
chanting little  garden,  a  tiny  retreat  hanging  on 
to  the  cliff  near  the  river,  bears  his  name,  and  a 
monument,  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  Plain 
near  Fort  Clinton  that  he  helped  build,  commemo- 
rates his  devotion  to  the  Revolutionary  cause. 

Kosciusko's  presence  and  energy  put  new  life 
into  the  work  of  construction.  Shortly  after- 
wards, when  orders  came  from  Washington  to 
expedite  the  completion  of  all  of  the  forts,  Parsons 
and  Kosciusko,  under  the  direction  of  Colonel 


6  West  Point 

Rufus  Putnam,  immediately  commenced  excava- 
tions for  Fort  Putnam.1  The  men  now  daily 
trudged  up  the  small  hill  back  of  the  Plain  and 
began  making  clearings  for  the  fort's  foundation. 
It  was  hard  laborious  work,  extremely  fatiguing, 
and,  to  add  to  the  men's  discomfiture,  they  were 
greatly  annoyed  by  large  rattlesnakes  with  which 
the  hill  top  seemed  to  swarm. 

While  the  land  defenses  were  being  so  well  pre- 
pared, steps  were  taken  to  prevent  enemy  ships  from 
passing  up  the  Hudson.  The  topography  of  West 
Point  and  the  adjacent  country  lent  itself  most 
admirably  to  the  plan  of  obstructing  the  river. 

The  Hudson,  as  it  comes  down  from  Newburgh 
a  straight  course  of  nine  miles,  strikes  West 
Point,  where  it  is  deflected  eastward  for  a  quarter 
of  a  mile,  flowing  between  Constitution  Island 
and  the  steep  cliffs  of  the  Point  before  again 
turning  south.  Any  British  sailing  vessel  com- 
ing up  the  river  from  New  York  would,  upon 
rounding  Gee's  Point,  lose  a  great  deal  of  its  speed 
on  account  of  the  swift  current,  and  if  stopped  by 
some  obstruction  could  be  held  under  the  fire  of  the 
batteries  on  both  shores.  General  Putnam,  there- 
fore, through  his  Quartermaster-General,  con- 
tracted with  the  Sterling  Iron  Works  of  Noble, 
Townsend  and  Co.,  for  an  iron  chain  500  feet  long, 
each  link  about  two  feet  long,  to  be  made  of  the 

1  Fort  Putnam  was  named  for  Colonel  Rufus  Putnam  whose 
regiment,  the  Fifth  Massachusetts,  commenced  it  and  did  much 
toward  putting  it  in  shape. 


In  the  Days  of  the  Revolution         7 

best  Sterling  iron  2^  inches  square,  with  a  swivel 
to  every  hundred  feet  and  a  clevis  to  every  thousand 
feet,  for  which  the  government  was  to  pay  $440. 
for  every  ton  weight  of  chain  and  anchors. x 

The  chain  was  to  obstruct  the  navigation  of 
the  river.  It  was  stretched  across  the  narrowest 
part  on  April  30,  1778,  and  fastened  at  West 
Point  in  the  second  small  cove  west  of  Gee's 
Point,  and  on  Constitution  Island  where  the 
present  small  boathouse  and  landing-place  stand. 
Very  large  logs,  sixteen  or  more  feet  long,  a  little 
pointed  at  the  ends  to  lessen  opposition  to  the 
force  of  the  water  on  flood  and  ebb,  were  used  to 
buoy  up  the  great  weight  of  the  obstruction. 
During  the  winter  it  was  taken  up,  because  the 
ice  in  the  river  was  an  effective  blockade,  but 
when  spring  came  the  work  of  280  men  was 
needed  to  lay  it  across  the  stream. 

Meanwhile,  Kosciusko  labored  strenuously  on 
the  forts,  so  that  by  June,  1778,  the  work  on  the 
fort  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  Plain  begun 
by  de  la  Radiere  in  the  January  past,  was  com- 
pleted and  given  the  name  of  Fort  Arnold.  Later, 
when  Benedict  Arnold  turned  traitor,  its  name 
became  Fort  Clinton.  A  small  portion  of  the 
wall  stands  today.  Washington,  on  a  visit  to 
West  Point  in  September,  1778,  paid  Kosciusko  a 
great  compliment,  stating  to  General  Duportail, 

1  The  Sterling  Iron  Works  are  still  in  operation  at  Sterlington, 
N.  Y.,  on  the  Erie  R.  R.,  where  the  remains  of  the  Revolutionary 
furnace  are  still  standing. 


8  West  Point 

his  chief  engineer,  that  he  need  have  no  uneasiness 
as  to  Kosciusko's  ability. 

Additional  troops  were  at  this  time  sent  to 
West  Point  because  Washington  feared  an  attack 
by  the  British.  In  the  spring  of  1779,  General 
McDougall  was  at  West  Point  with  three  brigades ; 
there  was  one  on  Constitution  Island,  and  the 
main  body  of  the  Army  was  near  Haverstraw 
under  General  Putnam.  Washington,  ever 
watchful,  viewed  with  great  concern  the  presence 
of  the  British  in  the  strong  position  of  Stony 
Point  because  he  considered  this  post  a  serious 
menace  to  West  Point.  Wishing  to  be  rid  of  them 
he  sent  for  Anthony  Wayne,  gave  him  a  corps 
of  light  infantry,  and  directed  him  to  capture  the 
British  fort.  A  better  man  than  Wayne  could 
not  have  been  selected  for  the  job.  On  the  I5th 
of  July,  Wayne  paraded  his  troops  for  a  minute 
inspection,  after  which,  instead  of  dismissing  them, 
he  marched  upon  Stony  Point,  which  at  midnight 
he  successfully  assaulted  with  the  bayonet.  The 
news  of  his  brilliant  exploit  was  conveyed  to 
Washington  in  the  following  refreshing  message: 

WEST  POINT,  16  July  1779. 
2  o'clock  a.  m. 

DEAR  GEN'L: 

The  fort  and  garrison  with  Colonel  Johnston  are 
ours.  Our  officers  and  men  behaved  like  men  who 
are  determined  to  be  free. 

Yours  most  sincerely, 

ANT'Y  WAYNE. 


In  the  Days  of  the  Revolution        9 

To  supervise  better  the  defenses  of  the  Hudson 
River,  Washington  moved  his  headquarters  to 
West  Point,  in  July,  1779,  where  he  remained 
until  November  of  that  year,  occupying  "Moore's 
House,"  a  structure  that  stood  in  Washington 
valley  near  the  shore  of  the  Hudson,  a  short  dis- 
tance from  the  northeast  corner  of  the  present 
cemetery.  It  was  built  by  John  Moore  prior  to 
1749,  and  called  by  all  the  people  in  the  vicinity 
"Moore's  Folly"  on  account  of  its  pretentiousness. 

General  Clinton  tried  to  draw  Washington  out 
into  the  open  country  for  a  campaign,  but  the 
American  Commander  was  too  astute  and  Clinton 
dared  not  attack  the  Revolutionary  forces  at  bay 
at  West  Point  because  of  the  dangers  of  a  campaign 
in  the  Highlands. 

Spurred  on  by  Washington's  presence  and  by 
his  orders,  Kosciusko  and  the  troops  completed 
Fort  Putnam  and  Redoubts  Webb  and  Wyllys 
in  the  summer.  This  work  necessitated  for  fatigue 
duty  each  day  2500  men,  a  large  percentage  of  the 
garrison.  Even  at  this  early  period,  West  Point 
was  the  Mecca  for  distinguished  Americans  and 
foreigners.  Nearly  every  Revolutionary  com- 
mander visited  the  Post  at  one  time  or  another 
during  the  war,  and  while  Washington  was  here, 
Count  de  Luzerne,  the  French  minister,  was  his 
guest. 

Before  Washington  left  the  Post  in  late  Novem- 
ber, the  troops  in  the  Highlands  were  distributed 
to  their  winter  stations.  Little  money  was  avail- 


io  West  Point 

able  to  equip  properly  the  soldiers  but  they 
struggled  on  bearing  their  burdens  and  hardships 
that  we  of  today  might  be  free.  That  they  were 
not  fighting  for  the  present  alone,  without  a  thought 
as  to  those  who  would  come  after  them,  is  revealed 
to  us  by  an  entry  in  a  diary  of  General  Heath 
who  was  then  in  command  of  all  the  troops  and 
Posts  on  the  Hudson: 

25th  Nov.  1779.  The  troops  were  moving  to  their 
different  places  of  cantonment;  many  of  the  soldiers 
(as  fine  men  as  ever  stood  in  shoes)  were  marched 
barefooted  over  the  hard  frozen  ground,  and  with  an 
astonishing  patience. 

Remember  these  things,  ye  Americans  in  future 
times! 

In  the  spring  of  1780,  Washington  sent  Baron 
Steuben  to  West  Point  to  drill  the  troops,  for  he 
feared  an  attack  by  the  British.  This  accom- 
plished officer,  a  Major-General  in  the  American 
Army,  had  seen  seven  campaigns  in  the  service 
of  Frederick  the  Great,  so  that  he  brought  to  his 
task  a  ripe  experience.  With  Prussian  thorough- 
ness he  commenced  drilling  both  the  old  soldiers 
and  recruits  of  the  command,  with  the  result  that 
by  summer  he  was  able  to  write  to  Washington 
that  he  had  formed  a  corps  of  light  infantry 
"that  I  dare  flatter  myself  will  be  the  admiration 
of  our  allies  as  much  as  the  terror  of  our  enemies. " 

Notwithstanding  the  patriotic  work  of  the 
officers  and  men  of  the  Army,  Washington  was 


In  the  Days  of  the  Revolution       11 

aware  that  America  as  well  as  Great  Britain  was 
getting  tired  of  the  war.  "There  never  has  been 
a  stage  of  the  war,'*  he  said,  "in  which  dissatis- 
faction has  been  so  general  and  so  alarming." 
Governor  Reed  of  Pennsylvania  said  in  August, 
1780:  "It  is  obvious  that  the  bulk  of  the  people 
are  weary  of  the  war.'* 

The  stage  was  therefore  set  for  the  most  dra- 
matic event  of  the  Revolution,  the  treason  of 
Benedict  Arnold.  Had  Arnold  succeeded  at  this 
period  of  the  Revolution,  the  hour  of  darkness 
and  depression,  in  selling  West  Point  to  the 
British,  we  would  probably  still  be  English  colo- 
nies. The  loss  of  the  Post  would  have  shaken 
the  morale  of  the  American  commanders,  not  to 
speak  of  the  paralysis  of  any  movement  upon 
which  Washington's  army  might  have  been  en- 
gaged at  that  particular  time. 

For  more  than  a  year  previous  to  his  assumption 
of  the  command  of  West  Point,  Arnold  had  been 
hatching  nefarious  schemes  to  betray  the  Ameri- 
cans. He  needed  money  badly,  due  to  his  ex- 
travagances while  in  Philadelphia.  His  conduct 
had  not  been  entirely  satisfactory  while  in  that 
city  and  open  resentment  was  expressed  on  ac- 
count of  his  preference  for  the  British  faction, 
but  because  of  his  military  capacity  he  was  held 
in  high  esteem  by  Washington.  His  abilities 
led  Washington  to  offer  him  the  command  of  the 
left  wing  of  the  army  then  in  the  field,  but  he 
pleaded  that  he  was  unfit  for  field  duty  by  reason 


12  West  Point 

of  the  wound  that  he  had  received  at  Saratoga,  and 
requested  the  command  of  West  Point.  His 
desires  were  respected  and  on  August  5,  1780, 
he  assumed  command  of  his  new  post  with  head- 
quarters at  the  Robinson  House. J 

Once  at  West  Point,  Arnold  saw  his  chance  to 
gain  rank  and  pay  from  the  British.  He  imme- 
diately entered  into  a  lively  correspondence  with 
Major  Andre,  the  Adjutant-General  of  the  British 
forces  in  America,  who  was  addressed  as  "Mr. 
John  Anderson,  Merchant."  Arnold's  communi- 
cations were  all  signed  "Gustavus. "  When  ne- 
gotiations for  the  betrayal  of  West  Point  had 
reached  a  crisis,  Arnold  requested  a  personal 
interview  with  a  representative  of  the  British. 
General  Clinton  then  sent  Major  Andre  up  the 
river  on  the  sloop  Vulture  which  anchored  near 
Haverstraw.  An  agent  of  Arnold's,  one  Joshua 
Hett  Smith,  returned  at  midnight,  September  21, 
with  Major  Andre  in  full  uniform,  a  landing 
being  made  a  short  distance  north  of  the  West 
Shore  Railroad  tunnel  south  of  Haverstraw. 
Arnold  and  Andre  then  went  to  Smith's  house 


1  The  Robinson  House  was  situated  on  the  eastern  shore  of 
the  Hudson  about  two  miles  below  West  Point.  It  was  built 
in  1750  by  Beverly  Robinson,  a  man  of  note  and  wealth.  He  had 
been  a  personal  friend  of  Washington  until  the  Revolution 
separated  them,  when  he  went  to  New  York  and  raised  a  regiment 
known  as  the  "Loyal  American"  for  service  under  the  British. 
He  assisted  Arnold  and  Andre*  in  their  negotiations.  At  the 
close  of  the  Revolution,  Robinson  went  to  England.  This  house 
was  destroyed  by  fire,  March  17,  1892. 


In  the  Days  of  the  Revolution      13 

in  West  Haverstraw.  They  were  challenged  by 
an  American  sentinel  and  it  was  here  that  Andre 
entered  the  American  lines. 

While  the  two  officers  were  in  consultation, 
the  American  commander  across  the  river  brought 
a  four-pounder  within  range  of  the  Vulture,  and 
opened  a  heavy  fire  upon  her,  causing  her  com- 
mander to  shift  his  anchorage  downstream. 
Great  was  Andre's  dismay  at  seeing  his  vessel 
forced  away,  for  now  he  was  in  the  American 
lines  and  far  from  New  York.  He  had  been 
assured  of  a  safe  return  to  his  own  lines,  and 
disliked  the  idea  of  traveling  alone  by  land  to 
New  York.  Moreover,  he  was  very  reluctant  to 
take  off  his  uniform  but  at  Arnold's  advice  he 
changed  into  civilian  clothing,  thereby  foolishly 
placing  himself  in  the  light  of  a  spy,  if  caught 
within  the  American  lines.  Arnold  also  gave 
Andre  important  papers  regarding  the  strength  of 
West  Point  defenses. 

It  is  not  difficult  to  imagine  the  state  of  Andre's 
mind  at  finding  himself  in  a  false  position  and  at 
the  same  time  disobeying  General  Clinton's  orders, 
which  were  not  to  change  his  uniform  under  any 
circumstances  nor  receive  any  papers  from  Ar- 
nold. Under  the  guidance  of  Joshua  Smith,  he 
crossed  the  river  at  King's  Ferry  (near  Stony 
Point  of  today)  and  proceeded  south  toward 
New  York. 

Although  furnished  with  a  pass  by  Arnold,  he 
was  detained  by  three  American  patriots  near 


14  West  Point 

Tarrytown,  searched,  and  turned  over  to  Colonel 
Jameson  at  North  Castle. 

Meanwhile,  Arnold  was  at  his  Headquarters 
at  the  Robinson  House  awaiting  events,  and 
Washington  was  on  his  way  from  Hartford  to 
West  Point.  Had  Arnold  succeeded  it  is  probable 
that  Washington  would  have  fallen  into  the 
enemy's  hands  at  this  time,  an  accident  that 
would  have  ruined  the  Revolution.  When  Wash- 
ington was  opposite  West  Point  he  sent  two  aides 
to  inform  Arnold  of  his  arrival.  They  proceeded 
to  the  Robinson  House  and  were  enjoying  Arnold's 
hospitality  at  breakfast  when  Jameson's  mes- 
senger arrived  with  a  note  announcing  Andre's 
.capture.  The  news  must  have  fallen  upon  Ar- 
nold like  a  thunderbolt,  but  with  perfect  sang- 
froid he  excused  himself,  rushed  upstairs  to  tell 
his  wife  of  the  danger,  ordered  his  horse,  sent  for 
the  coxswain  of  his  barge,  and  then  calmly  re- 
turned to  his  guests  whom  he  told  it  was  neces- 
sary for  him  to  cross  to  West  Point  to  prepare 
for  the  reception  of  General  Washington.  Instead, 
he  rapidly  made  his  way  down  the  river  and  boarded 
the  Vulture  which  took  him  to  New  York. 

Major  Andre  was  tried  by  court-martial, 
found  guilty  of  being  a  spy,  and  sentenced  to 
be  hanged.  Numerous  letters  were  written  to 
Washington  begging  that  Andre's  life  be  spared. 
Arnold  himself  addressed  to  his  former  chief  a 
long  communication  exonerating  Andre  and  tak- 
ing upon  himself  the  blame  for  Andre's  presence 


In  the  Days  of  the  Revolution      15 

in  disguise  within  the  American  lines.  Even 
Hamilton  was  touched,  saying:  "Never  perhaps 
did  any  man  suffer  death  with  more  justice  or 
deserve  it  less." 

Andre  accepted  his  fate  like  a  brave  soldier 
but  he  revolted  from  the  ignominy  of  being  hanged. 
When  all  efforts  to  change  the  mode  of  his  death 
failed,  he  personally  appealed  to  Washington  in 
the  following  splendid  letter : 

From  Maj.  Andre  to  General  Washington,  1780. 

TAPPAN. 
The  i st.  of  Oct.,  1780. 

SIR: 

Buoy'd  above  the  terror  of  death  by  the  con- 
sciousness of  a  life  devoted  to  honorable  pursuits 
and  stained  with  no  action  that  can  give  me  remorse, 
I  trust  that  the  request  that  I  make  to  your  Excellency, 
at  this  serious  period  and  which  is  to  soften  my  last 
moments  will  not  be  rejected. 

Sympathy  toward  a  soldier  will  surely  induce 
your  Excellency  and  a  military  tribunal  to  adapt  the 
mode  of  my  death  to  the  feelings  of  a  man  of  honor. 
Let  me  hope,  Sir,  that  if  aught  in  my  character  im- 
presses you  with  esteem  towards  me,  if  aught  in  my 
misfortune  marks  me  the  victim  of  policy  and  not  of 
resentment,  I  shall  experience  the  operation  of  those 
feelings  in  your  breast  by  being  informed  that  I  am 
not  to  die  on  a  gibbet. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

JOHN  ANDRE, 
Adj.  General  to  the  British  Army. 


1 6  West  Point 

His  request,  however,  was  not  granted  and  in  the 
early  afternoon  of  October  2,  1780,  arrayed  in 
full  dress  uniform  he  paid  the  penalty  on  the 
scaffold.  His  body  was  buried  beneath  his  gibbet 
but  removed  to  England  in  1831  where  it  rests 
in  Westminster  Abbey. 

West  Point  and  the  Revolutionary  cause  was 
saved  to  the  Americans!  The  shock  of  Arnold's 
traitorous  act  with  its  narrowly  averted  conse- 
quences caused  Washington  to  take  even  more 
stringent  measures  for  West  Point's  defense. 
Orders  were  issued  to  continue  work  on  all  of  the 
fortifications  and  during  1781  and  1782,  the 
garrison  labored  faithfully  and  uncomplainingly 
notwithstanding  the  great  sufferings  of  the  men 
from  lack  of  provisions.  At  times  the  stores  on 
hand  were  numbered  by  a  few  barrels  of  salt  pork 
and  a  little  flour. 

Major-General  Knox  now  assumed  command 
of  the  Post.  After  the  cessation  of  hostilities  he 
was  very  busy  mustering  out  troops  and  putting 
the  garrison  in  shape. 

Despite  the  poverty  that  prevailed  at  West 
Point,  Washington  ordered  a  celebration  to  be 
held  in  honor  of  the  birth  of  the  Dauphin  of 
France,  Louis  Joseph,  the  son  of  Louis  XVI.,  born 
October,  1781.  A  magnificent  f£te  was  arranged 
in  which  all  of  the  troops  stationed  in  the  High- 
lands participated.  Upon  the  Plain  at  West  Point, 
Major  Villefranche  erected  a  curious  edifice, 
an  improvised  temple  with  a  grand  colonnade  of 


In  the  Days  of  the  Revolution      17 

118  pillars  made  of  the  trunks  of  trees.  The 
entire  building  was  festooned  with  American  and 
French  flags,  with  designs  and  emblems,  muskets 
and  bayonets  fancifully  arranged.  Washington, 
with  a  party  of  five  hundred  distinguished  guests, 
assembled  in  the  colonnade  for  a  banquet.  A 
series  of  thirteen  toasts  were  drunk,  each  one 
accompanied  by  a  salute  of  thirteen  cannon. 
During  the  evening  there  was  a  grand  display  of 
fireworks  for  the  troops  and  a  ball  for  the  officers 
and  their  guests.  This  dance,  led  by  General 
Washington,  was  the  first  real  West  Point  hop. 

The  various  details  left  over  from  the  Revolu- 
tion were  now  disposed  of  by  General  Knox  and 
his  successor,  Lieut. -Col.  Rochefontaine.  The 
genesis  of  the  Military  Academy  was  foreshadowed 
by  the  presence  of  the  Invalid  Corps  which  by  act 
of  Congress,  1777,  was,  among  other  things,  "to 
serve  as  a  military  school  for  young  gentlemen 
previous  to  their  being  appointed  to  marching 
regiments." 

The  dark  days  of  the  Revolution  were  over  and 
the  troops  could  now  rest  from  their  strenuous 
labors.  There  were  important  matters,  however, 
to  occupy  the  leaders,  not  the  least  of  which  was 
the  establishment  of  an  institution  for  training 
officers  for  the  Army.  No  lesson  of  the  war  was 
so  well  learned  as  the  need  for  such  educated 
leaders,  and  immediately  the  Revolution  was 
over,  Washington,  Hamilton,  and  Knox  began 
urging  Congress  to  establish  a  National  Military 


1 8  West  Point 

Academy.  Although  Washington  never  lived  to 
see  his  recommendations  carried  out,  he  would 
have  rejoiced,  I  am  sure,  to  know  that  Congress 
three  years  after  his  death  founded  the  United 
States  Military  Academy,  at  his  favorite  Post, 
West  Point. 


CHAPTER  II 

THE  FIRST   HUNDRED   YEARS 

WHEN  at  last  the  colonies  found  themselves 
free,  and  realized  that  they  were  in  no 
immediate  danger  from  any  foe,  the  thoughts  of 
the  people,  so  long  occupied  with  war,  eagerly 
turned  toward  the  establishment  of  their  new 
government.  It  was  only  natural  that  the  Army, 
weary  of  the  long  struggle  for  independence, 
should  gladly  welcome  their  release  from  service, 
and  resume  once  again  the  peaceful  pursuits  of 
civil  life.  For  seven  long  years  their  days  had 
been  filled  with  arduous  marches  through  heat 
and  through  snow,  with  tedious  vigils  on  outposts, 
or  with  bloody  encounters  with  the  British,  and 
the  great  mass  of  the  people  joyfully  hailed  the 
piping  times  of  peace,  and  without  ado  they 
turned  their  battle-axes  into  billhooks,  and  their 
helmets  into  beehives. 

It  could  not  be  expected  that  during  the  reac- 
tion that  followed  the  Revolution  much  attention 
would  be  given  to  the  subject  of  military  educa- 
tion. As  a  matter  of  fact,  for  seven  years  this 
question  was  allowed  to  sleep;  but  Washington, 

19 


20  West  Point 

ever  on  the  alert  for  the  welfare  of  the  new  coun- 
try, suggested  in  his  annual  message  of  1790  to 
the  Congress  the  establishment  of  a  National 
Military  Academy.  In  spite  of  the  great  prestige 
that  he  enjoyed  both  as  President  and  as  the  man 
who  had  successfully  waged  the  Revolution,  his 
words  were  not  heeded  by  Congress  until  some 
years  afterwards. 

The  Congress  of  those  days  apparently  was  like 
our  own  and  needed  to  have  a  matter  brought  to 
its  attention  many  times  before  any  definite  action 
was  taken.  Washington  undoubtedly  appreciated 
this  condition  for  we  find  that  on  numerous 
occasions  he  spoke  of  his  plan,  telling  Congress 
that  ' '  it  is  an  inquiry  that  cannot  be  too  strongly 
pursued."  His  efforts  were  not  without  reward, 
for  in  1794  the  grade  of  Cadet  was  created,  and  a 
military  school  was  established  at  West  Point. 
This  school  was  composed  of  the  cadets  who  were 
by  law  attached  to  the  Engineer  and  Artillery 
Corps  of  the  garrison.  In  each  company  there 
were  two  of  these  young  men  styled  "cadets  of 
the  Service,"  whom  the  Government  aimed  to 
train  to  become  commissioned  officers  of  the  Army. 
There  was,  however,  no  organization  to  the 
school,  nor  scientific  system  of  instruction,  so 
that  the  cadets  did  about  as  they  pleased,  pursuing 
their  studies  in  a  desultory  manner. 

It  was  not  until  the  i6th  of  March,  1802,  that 
the  United  States  Military  Academy  was  definitely 
established  by  law.  Congress  then  authorized 


The  First  Hundred  Years         21 

the  President  to  organize  the  Corps  of  Engineers 
whose  cadre  contained,  in  addition  to  the  offi- 
cers, ten  cadets.  West  Point  was  designated  as 
the  station  of  the  Corps  which  was  to  constitute 
the  Military  Academy.  The  next  year  forty 
cadets,  to  be  appointed  from  the  artillery  troops 
of  the  Army,  were  added  and  in  1808,  156  ad- 
ditional men. 

During  the  first  ten  years  of  its  existence  the 
Military  Academy  was  in  a  most  chaotic  condi- 
tion. It  was  in  reality  "a  foundling  barely 
existing  among  the  mountains,  out  of  sight  of, 
and  almost  unknown  to,  its  legitimate  parents." 
It  is  greatly  to  be  wondered  at  that  the  Academy 
ever  survived  the  terrible  throes  of  its  birth. 
Almost  no  provisions  for  its  existence  were  made 
by  Congress.  The  cadets  were  lodged  in  an  old 
barrack  of  the  Revolution,  called  the  "Long 
Barrack,"  that  occupied  the  site  of  the  present 
hotel,  and  their  instruction  was  given  in  a  wooden 
building  called  the  " Academy"  that  stood  on  the 
spot  of  the  present  Superintendent's  quarters. 
They  were  allowed  to  board  around  promiscu- 
ously, really  living  from  hand  to  mouth.  Among 
the  student  body  there  was  very  little  discipline, 
but  a  great  deal  of  idleness  and  dissipation. 

In  1812,  a  new  law  placed  the  school  on  a  firm 
basis  and  furnished  the  principles  upon  which 
the  institution  has  been  conducted  to  this  moment. 
Two  hundred  and  fifty  cadets  were  author- 
ized and  the  respectable  sum  of  twenty-five  thou- 


22  West  Point 

sand  dollars  appropriated  for  buildings.  To 
offset  this  good  fortune,  the  Academy  had  to  fight 
against  the  hostility  of  Madison's  Secretary  of 
War,  Eustis,  who  tried  his  utmost  to  strangle  the 
new-born  institution.  But  happily  the  exigencies 
of  the  War  of  1812  frustrated  his  hostile  designs. 

Despite  insuperable  difficulties,  the  Academy 
began  to  grow,  not  scientifically,  but  in  a  muddling 
sort  of  way.  Where  the  Superintendent  had 
heretofore  been  a  rover  up  and  down  the  Hudson 
Posts,  he  now  became  permanently  located  at 
West  Point.  The  professors  began  to  work 
together  with  more  harmony,  going  so  far  as  to 
recommend  a  broadly  planned  course  that  in- 
cluded most  of  the  subjects  studied  today.  By 
the  Regulations  of  1815,  the  cadets  were  required 
to  mess  at  a  common  table,  instead  of  boarding 
at  private  houses,  their  age  limit  was  fixed  at 
fourteen  to  twenty,  and  their  uniform  was  defi- 
nitely prescribed.  A  little  order  was  being  brought 
out  of  chaos.  Annual  vacations  were  granted, 
to  commence  immediately  after  the  examination 
in  July  and  to  end  on  the  first  day  of  August. 
Notwithstanding  the  excellence  of  the  above 
features,  the  general  condition  of  this  infant 
school  was  far  from  satisfactory.  A  picture  of 
its  inner  life  is  revealed  in  a  letter  written  in  1815 
by  Andrew  Ellicott,  the  Professor  of  Mathematics, 
to  the  Secretary  of  War,  in  which  he  states : 

Until  I  came  here  the  Academy  was  abandoned  by 


The  First  Hundred  Years          23 

the  Professors  and  a  great  part  of  the  students  from 
the  first  of  December  until,  the  first  of  April  following 
every  year.  This  practice  I  immediately  put  a  stop 
to,  and  kept  the  Academy  open  two  winters,  not  even 
excluding  Sundays,  without  the  aid  of  any  other 
Professor  or  regular  assistant.  The  winter  before 
last,  I  kept  together  more  than  twenty  students,  16 
of  whom  were  commissioned  last  July,  and  last  winter 
more  than  80,  some  of  whom  would  do  credit 
to  any  country  or  nation,  and  will  be  found  among 
our  future  rulers.  These  extra  services  are  not  ideal — 
they  are  substantial. 

Although  Professor  Ellicott  rather  emphasizes 
his  assiduity  in  his  application  for  extra  compensa- 
tion we  must  be  grateful,  at  least,  for  the  glimpse 
he  gives  us  of  the  state  of  affairs  in  1815. 

Better  days,  however,  were  in  store  for  West 
Point.  That  the  War  Department  was  not  en- 
tirely insensible  to  the  handicap  under  which 
those  at  West  Point  were  working,  is  proven  by 
the  circumstance  that  at  this  particular  time 
there  was  in  Europe  an  officer,  Major  Sylvanus 
Thayer,  who  had  been  sent  abroad  "to  prosecute 
inquiries  and  examinations  calculated  for  his 
improvement  in  the  military  art."  He  was  given 
five  thousand  dollars  for  the  collection  of  books, 
maps,  and  instruments  for  the  Military  Academy. 
Shortly  after  his  return,  he  was  made  Superin- 
tendent, relieving  Captain  Alden  Partridge  whose 
administration  had  not  been  popular  nor  very 
successful.  Although  Captain  Partridge  was 


24  West  Point 

much  criticized  by  the  professors  and  cadets  his 
farewell  address  to  the  "  Gentlemen  Cadets  of  the 
Military  Academy"  was  so  high-minded  that  I 
am  tempted  to  quote  it  in  full : 

Before  I  take  my  leave  of  you,  gentlemen,  permit 
me  to  impress  anew  upon  your  minds  some  precepts 
to  which  I  have  frequently  before  this  called  your 
attention.  Be  attentive  to  your  studies,  and  correct 
and  gentlemanly  in  your  deportment.  Pursue  with 
undeviating  course  the  paths  of  virtue  and  true 
honor;  and  rest  assured  that  although  the  vicious 
and  the  vain  may  affect  to  ridicule  and  despise,  they 
will  inwardly  respect  you,  and  that  you  will  thereby 
ensure  the  applause  of  the  good  and  the  great,  and, 
which  is  of  more  importance,  the  approbation  of  your 
consciences  and  of  your  God. 

With  the  advent  of  Major  Thayer  began  the 
golden  age  of  the  Academy.  This  officer  was  a 
veteran  of  the  War  of  1812  in  which  he  had  served 
with  great  distinction;  he  had  studied  the  mili- 
tary schools  of  France,  and  had  profited  by  his 
unusual  opportunities  to  acquire  a  profound  knowl- 
edge concerning  the  conduct  of  an  institution  such 
as  the  military  school  over  which  he  was  chief. 

The  great  talents  that  Major  Thayer  possessed 
were  well  employed.  For  sixteen  years  he  shaped 
the  destiny  of  the  Academy,  and  with  such  wis- 
dom and  foresight  that  the  broad  fundamental 
principles  which  he  laid  down  for  the  school's 
guidance,  govern  the  institution  today. 


Major  Sylvanus  Thayer 
"The  Father  of  the  Military  Academy" 


From  the  Painting  by  Thomas  Sully,  Library  U.S.M.A. 


The  First  Hundred  Years         25 

To  him,  more  than  to  any  one  man,  is  due  the 
elevation  of  the  Military  Academy  to  its  high 
rank  among  schools  of  learning  both  in  this  country 
and  abroad. 

Upon  taking  over  the  command,  he  immedi- 
ately drew  upon  his  genius  for  organization,  with 
the  result  that  the  cadets  were  organized  into  a 
battalion  of  two  companies,  a  "Commandant  of 
Cadets"  was  created,  the  classes  were  for  study 
purposes  divided  into  sections,  transfers  were  made 
between  sections,  and  weekly  reports,  showing 
daily  progress  in  studies,  were  rendered.  More- 
over, the  system  and  scale  of  daily  marks,  the 
publication  of  the  Annual  Register,  the  introduc- 
tion of  the  Board  of  Visitors,  the  check-book 
system,  the  preponderating  influence  of  the  black- 
board, and  the  essential  part  of  the  modern  Regu- 
lations are  proofs  of  his  untiring  efforts  as  an 
executive.  The  above  changes  that  he  effected, 
and  the  reforms  that  he  introduced,  are  a  part  of 
the  modern  organization  of  West  Point.  Per- 
haps no  one  method  has  so  much  influenced  the 
quality  of  the  instruction  of  the  cadets  as  the 
blackboard  recitations.  Major  Thayer  insisted 
on  this  form,  although  old  records  show  that  it 
was  introduced  at  West  Point  by  Mr.  George 
Baron,  a  civilian  teacher,  who  in  the  autumn  of 
1 80 1  gave  to  Cadet  Swift  "a  specimen  of  his 
mode  of  teaching  at  the  blackboard."  Today 
it  is  the  prominent  feature  in  Academic  instruction. 

Major  Thayer 's  success  in  giving  West  Point 


26  West  Point 

an  upward  impetus  had  attracted  general  atten- 
tion and  observation  throughout  the  country  so 
that  appointments  were  now  sought  after  with 
avidity .  The  politicians  re j  oiced  at  the  Academy' s 
increased  importance  and  the  consequent  patron- 
age that  the  appointments  offered.  Although 
the  present  law  did  not  obtain,  whereby  Congress- 
men appointed  cadets,  still  it  had  been  the  custom 
for  the  President  to  appoint  men  to  West  Point 
upon  the  recommendation  of  a  Representative. 
In  1843,  a  law  was  passed  that  allowed  one  cadet 
for  each  congressional  -  district.  Major  Thayer 
was  at  his  own  request  relieved  as  Superintendent, 
after  a  brilliant  administration  whose  results 
were  so  beneficial  to  the  institution  as  to  gain  for 
him  from  posterity  the  title  of  "Father  of  the 
Military  Academy." 

Could  Major  Thayer  have  only  peered  into 
the  future  he  would  have  seen  Fame,  years  later, 
crowning  three  of  his  raw  young  cadets.  One  of 
the  lads  at  West  Point  under  Major  Thayer  was 
Edgar  Allan  Poe,  America's  foremost  literary 
genius.  He  entered  West  Point  July  i,  1830,  but 
after  a  troublous  stay  of  a  little  over  eight  months 
was  dismissed  for  repeated  misconduct.  Not  a 
great  deal  is  known  of  his  brief  cadet  days,  but 
his  classmates  have  stated  that  he  was  irritable 
and  morose,  and  addicted  to  excessive  drinking. 
He  would  steal  out  of  barracks  sometimes,  long  af- 
ter taps,  and  "run  it  out "  to  "Old  Benny  Havens," 
a  tavern  kept  by  Benny  Havens  on  the  banks  of 


The  First  Hundred  Years          27 

the  Hudson  about  a  mile  below  West  Point. 
Benny  Havens'  name  is  preserved  in  song  and  story 
at  West  Point,  and  tales  that  surrounded  the  cadet 
reunions  in  ye  olden  days  at  "Benny's"  are  fla- 
vored with  all  the  romance  of  a  mythical  legend. 
Old  Benny  died  in  1877  at  the  ripe  age  of 
eighty-nine  years,  but  his  name  survives  in  a 
stirring  West  Point  song  that  I  quote  in  part : 

Come  fill  your  glasses,  fellows,  and  stand  up  in  a  row, 
For  singing  sentimentally  we  are  going  for  to  go, 
In  the  Army  there's  sobriety,  promotion's  very  slow, 
So  we'll  sing  our  reminiscences  of  Benny  Havens,  Oh ! 

To  our  comrades  who  have  fallen,  one  cup  before  we 

go; 
They  poured    their  life-blood  freely   out    pro  bono 

publico. 
No  marble   points   the  stranger  to  where  they    rest 

below ! 
They  lie  neglected  far  away  from  Benny  Havens,  Oh ! 

When  you  and  I  and  Benny  and  all  the  others  too, 
Are  called  before  the  "final  Board, "  our  course  of  life 

to  view, 
May  we  never  "fess"1  on  any  point,  but  straight  be 

told  to  go 
And  join  the  Army  of  the  blest  at  Benny  Havens, 

Oh! 

Poe,  however,  was  only  one  of  many  who  dis- 

1  "Fess"  means  a  complete  failure  at  a  recitation.     It  is  an 
abbreviation  of  "confess." 


28  West  Point 

obeyed  the  regulations,  but  he  did  not  care  for 
military  life  and  made  no  effort  to  conceal  his 
offenses.  Finally  he  was  tried  by  court-martial. 
For  two  weeks  prior  to  his  trial  he  neglected  almost 
all  of  his  studies  as  a  cadet.  Two  of  the  specifica- 
tions against  him  were  for  absences  from  parades 
and  roll  calls  and  two  for  disobedience  of  orders, 
but  at  the  trial,  he  deliberately  pleaded  guilty 
to  the  latter  and  not  guilty  to  the  former,  the 
most  patent  and  obvious  of  his  offenses.  Whether 
or  not  he  did  this  from  a  sense  of  humor,  is  not 
known,  but  his  action  was  not  calculated  to  help 
him  in  the  eyes  of  his  superiors.  He  was  dis- 
missed March  6,  1831.  Four  days  later  he  wrote 
Major  Thayer  the  following  letter : 

Letter  of  Edgar  Allan  Poe,  Lately  Cadet,  U.  S.  M.  A., 

to  the  Superintendent:  1831. 

(Originalin  the  library  U.  S.  M.  A.} 

NEW  YORK, 

Mar.  10, 1831. 

SIR: 

Having  no  longer  any  ties  to  bind  me  to  my  country 
— no  prospects — nor  friends — I  intend  by  the  first 
opportunity  to  proceed  to  Paris  with  the  view  of 
obtaining  through  the  interest  of  the  Marquis  De  La 
Fayette,  an  appointment  (if  possible)  in  the  Polish 
Army.  In  the  event  of  the  interference  of  France  in 
behalf  of  Poland  this  may  easily  be  effected — in  all 
events  it  will  be  my  only  feasible  plan  of  procedure. 

The  object  of  this  letter  is  respectfully  to  request 


The  First  Hundred  Years         29 

that  you  will  give  me  such  assistance  as  may  be  in  your 
power  in  the  furtherance  of  my  views. 

A  certificate  of  standing  in  my  class  is  all  that  I 
may  have  a  right  to  expect. 

Anything  further — a  letter  to  a  friend  in  Paris — or 
to  the  Marquis — would  be  a  kindness  which  I  would 
never  forget. 

Most  respectfully, 
Yr.  obt.  st. 

EDGAR  ALLAN  POE. 

Poe,  however,  abandoned  the  plan  and  little 
more  was  heard  of  his  whereabouts  by  his  friends 
at  West  Point. 

The  two  other  cadets  under  Major  Thayer, 
were  Jefferson  Davis  and  Robert  E.  Lee,  but 
their  history  is  too  well  known  to  bear  repetition 
here.  Suffice  to  say  that  Jefferson  Davis  was 
mischievous  and  human  enough  as  a  cadet  to  be 
court-martialed  for  an  escapade. 

The  prosperity  of  the  Academy  continued  in 
spite  of  its  opponents  in  Congress  who,  just  prior 
to  the  Mexican  War,  came  near  accomplishing 
its  overthrow,  but  the  brilliant  achievements  of 
its  graduates  in  that  conflict  silenced  for  a  while 
their  mutterings.  Many  young  officers  who 
served  with  distinction  in  this  war  were  later  to 
win  greater  fame  in  the  titanic  Civil  War.  Grant 
(class  of  '43);  Sherman  ('40);  Hancock  ('44); 
Thomas  ('40);  Meade  ('35);  Hooker  ('30);  Sedg- 
wick  ('37)  participated  in  the  campaigns  against 
the  Mexicans. 


30  West  Point 

The  nation  was  given  ample  proof  of  the  wisdom 
of  Washington,  Hamilton,  and  Knox  in  their 
efforts  to  establish  a  Military  Academy  wherein 
officers  might  be  educated  and  trained  to  organ- 
ize and  discipline  citizen  soldiers,  and  lead 
them  to  victory.  At  West  Point  today  there  are 
bronze  cannon,  tattered  flags,  and  mutilated 
flagstafTs,  trophies  of  the  Mexican  War  that  were 
presented  to  the  Academy  by  General  Winfield 
Scott,  the  Commanding  General  of  the  Army, 
who  stated,  "as  under  Providence  it  is  mainly 
to  the  Military  Academy  that  the  United  States 
became  indebted  for  those  brilliant  achievements 
and  other  memorable  victories  in  the  same  war, 
I  have  a  lively  pleasuring  in  tendering  the  seven 
trophies  (semi-national)  to  the  mother  of  so  many 
accomplished  soldiers  and  patriots." 

The  close  of  the  Mexican  War  found  the  Mili- 
tary Academy  the  pet  and  idol  of  the  National 
Legislature.  All  of  its  requirements  were  solici- 
tously studied  and  plenty  of  funds  were  forth- 
coming to  supply  its  wants.  As  time  went  on,  how- 
ever, and  no  foe  appeared  at  our  door,  the  usual 
indifference  on  the  part  of  some  toward  military 
affairs,  and  the  open  hostilities  of  others,  were 
manifested.  As  before  in  its  history,  the  Academy 
became  the  object  of  numerous  attacks,  but  it 
ignored  them,  continuing  unobtrusively  the  pre- 
paration of  her  cadets  for  their  future  work,  little 
realizing  how  important  this  work  was  soon  to  be. 

In  1852,  Brevet-Colonel    R.  E.  Lee,  Corps  of 


The  First  Hundred  Years         31 

Engineers,  class  of  1829,  was  appointed  Superin- 
tendent. Under  his  administration  the  course 
was  extended  to  include  five  years,  embracing 
more  English  studies  and  Military  Law.  A  new 
riding  hall  was  completed  in  1855  which  greatly 
increased  the  opportunity  for  cavalry  exercises. 
Colonel  Lee,  having  transferred  to  the  Cavalry 
arm  of  the  Service,  was  relieved  as  Superintendent, 
April,  1855,  because  according  to  law  at  that 
time,  only  Engineer  officers  could  serve  as  Super- 
intendent. 

The  year  before  Lee's  administration  began, 
there  entered  West  Point  in  July,  1851,  a  cadet, 
James  Abbott  McNeill  Whistler,  aged  sixteen  years 
and  eleven  months,  destined  to  become  one  of  Am- 
erica's greatest  artists.  Whistler  remained  three 
years  at  West  Point  when  he  was  discharged  for 
deficiency  in  chemistry.  In  speaking  in  after  years 
of  his  experiences  with  this  study,  he  said,  "Had 
silicon  been  a  gas,  I  would  have  been  a  Major- 
General."  He  was  called  up  for  examination  in 
the  subject  of  chemistry,  which  also  covered  the 
studies  of  mineralogy  and  geology,  and  given 
silicon  to  discuss.  When  called  upon  to  recite, 
he  stated:  "I  am  required  to  discuss  the  subject 
of  silicon.  Silicon  is  a  gas."  "That  will  do,  Mr. 
Whistler,"  said  the  Professor,  and  the  artist 
soldier  retired  quickly  to  private  life. 

Another  story  was  told  of  him  in  an  examina- 
tion in  history.  "What ! "  said  an  officer  who  was 
his  instructor,  "you  do  not  know  the  date  of  the 


32  West  Point 

Battle  of  Buena  Vista?  Suppose  you  were  to  go 
out  to  dinner  and  the  company  began  to  talk  of 
the  Mexican  War,  and  you,  a  West  Point  man, 
were  asked  the  date  of  the  battle.  What  would 
you  do?" 

"Do,"  said  Whistler,  "why,  I  should  refuse  to 
associate  with  people  who  would  talk  of  such 
things  at  dinner." 

Although  Whistler  was  not  a  success  in  defining 
silicon  or  remembering  dates,  he  excelled  in  draw- 
ing, standing  at  the  head  of  his  class.  The 
Professor  of  Drawing  at  the  time  was  Robert  W. 
Weir,  an  artist  of  no  mean  ability  himself  and  of 
generally  recognized  standing.  For  Whistler,  Pro- 
fessor Weir  always  had  a  high  esteem  on  account 
of  the  unusual  talent  he  displayed  in  the  drawing 
classes.  Specimens  of  his  work  as  a  cadet  are 
still  preserved  at  West  Point. 

In  1860,  the  rumblings  of  trouble  over  the  slave 
question  began  to  be  heard  even  in  the  secluded 
Highlands  of  the  Hudson.  At  first  the  Southern 
and  Northern  cadets  ardently  advocated  the  views 
of  their  respective  States,  arguing  with  all  of  the 
warmth  and  enthusiasm  of  their  young  natures 
but  without  any  particular  bitterness.  Soon, 
however,  the  gathering  of  the  war  clouds  and  the 
noise  of  the  storm  that  was  brewing  brought  the 
Southern  cadets  face  to  face  with  a  problem  that 
of  its  nature  was  most  difficult  to  solve.  Each 
one  had  sworn  allegiance  to  the  Government  and 


The  First  Hundred  Years          33 

taken  an  oath  to  defend  it  against  all  enemies. 
What  should  they  do?  To  remain  and  support 
the  Federal  Government  meant  to  fight  against 
their  own  flesh  and  blood,  yet  to  resign  was  to 
break  one's  sworn  word.  As  a  Southerner  myself, 
I  have  often  reflected  upon  the  mental  suffering 
that  those  fellow  cadets  of  "the  long  grey  line" 
must  have  experienced,  trying  to  decide  upon  their 
duty.  General  SchafT,  in  The  Spirit  of  Old  West 
Point,  gives  us  a  vivid  picture  of  those  days  at 
the  Academy.  So  much  has  been  written  about 
the  cadets  who  left  West  Point  to  fight  with  the 
Southern  forces  that  the  following  data  may  prove 
interesting. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  there  were 
from  the  Southern  States  eighty-six  cadets.  Of 
this  number  sixty- three  resigned,  from  various 
causes  connected  with  the  war,  leaving  twenty- 
one  who  remained  loyal  to  the  Government.  In 
the  Army,  it  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  of  the  offi- 
cers of  Southern  blood  appointed  from  civil  life, 
one  half  went  with  the  Confederacy,  whereas  only 
one  fifth  of  the  West  Pointers  went  South.  One 
hundred  and  sixty-two  Southern  graduates  with- 
stood the  terrible  strain  of  fighting  their  own 
people,  and  remained  true  to  the  flag. 

Although  up  to  the  time  of  the  Civil  War  no 
graduates  of  West  Point  had  been  appointed  to 
the  rank  of  general  officer,  the  war  had  not  been 
in  progress  a  year  before  the  country  eagerly 
turned  to  men  from  the  Academy  to  lead  its  armies. 


34  West  Point 

In  September,  1861,  six  of  the  eleven  generals  in 
the  Regular  Army  were  graduates.  At  the  con- 
clusion of  the  war  sixteen  of  the  seventeen  Regular 
general  officers  of  the  line  were  graduates.  Sixty- 
six  graduates  rose  during  the  war  to  the  grade  of 
major-general  and  112  to  that  of  brigadier-general 
of  volunteers,  which  means  that  more  than  one 
third  of  the  graduates  engaged  in  the  war  rose  to 
the  grade  of  general  officer.  Nine  received  the 
thanks  of  Congress  for  conspicuous  gallantry. 

Turning  to  the  Confederate  forces,  we  find  a 
similar  state  of  affairs.  Of  the  West  Pointers  in 
the  Confederate  service,  eighteen  were  made  full 
generals,  fifteen  lieutenant-generals,  forty  major- 
generals,  and  eighty-eight  brigadier-generals.  In 
command  of  all  was  Jefferson  Davis,  President 
of  the  Confederacy,  and  a  West  Pointer. 

The  most  famous  West  Pointer  on  the  Union 
side  was  Ulysses  S.  Grant,  class  of  1843,  but 
scarcely  less  noted  were  Sheridan  ('53),  and 
Sherman  ('45).  Other  graduates  whose  services 
were  most  conspicuous  follow:  George  H.  Thomas 
('40),  Meade  ('35),  Hooker  ('35),  Sedgwick  ('37), 
McClellan  ('46),  Halleck  ('39),  McPherson  ('53), 
Rosecrans  ('42),  Warren  ('50),  Pleasanton  ('44), 
and  Gregg  ('55). 

On  the  Confederate  side  we  find  Lee  ('29), 
Early  ('37),  Jackson  ('46),  A.  S.  Johnston  ('26), 
A.  P.  Hill  ('47),  Daniel  H.  Hill  ('42),  and  Long- 
street  ('42),  Ewell  ('40),  and  Stuart  ('54). 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  Civil  War,  a  struggle  be- 


The  First  Hundred  Years         35 

tween  three  million  combatants,  all  of  the  armies 
in  the  field  on  both  sides  were  commanded  by  grad- 
uates; nearly  all  of  the  corps;  a  large  majority 
of  the  divisions;  the  staff  corps  or  organization 
of  supply  of  both  forces,  and  many  of  the  brigades. 
Every  important  battle  of  the  war  was  commanded 
on  one  or  both  sides  by  a  graduate — generally 
both.  This  was  the  verdict  of  the  end  of  the 
great  conflict  after  a  test  to  which  no  other*  institu- 
tion of  learning  has  ever  been  put. 

After  the  Civil  War  the  Academy  began  to 
drop  out  of  public  notice  because  the  people  were 
more  interested  in  the  commercial  development  of 
the  country.  Apathy  on  the  part  of  the  public 
has  never,  however,  affected  West  Point's  attitude 
toward  its  duty,  so  that  year  after  year  graduates 
were  sent  forth  to  fight  the  Indians  upon  the 
Plains  where  they  underwent  great  hardships 
of  which  the  country  was  ignorant. 

Then  came  the  Spanish  War  to  test  again  the 
product  of  the  Academy,  but  the  work  of  the 
graduates  in  Cuba  and  the  Philippines  gave  ample 
proof  that  the  metal  was  still  good  and  well 
stamped. 

With  the  advent  of  Colonel  A.  L.  Mills  as 
Superintendent,  the  Academy  received  a  fresh 
impetus  and  many  important  changes  were 
effected.  The  Corps  in  1900  was  increased  by 
one  hundred  cadets,  hazing  in  all  of  its  forms  was 
practically  abolished  after  a  long  bitter  fight, 
and  elaborate  plans  were  inaugurated  for  the  en- 


36  West  Point 

largement  and  rebuilding  of  West  Point.  In 
this  connection  the  late  Colonel  Charles  W. 
Larned,  Professor  of  Drawing,  distinguished  him- 
self. It  is  largely  due  to  his  indefatigable  efforts 
and  to  the  foresight  and  ability  of  the  late  General 
Mills,  and  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Elihu  Root, 
that  West  Point  has  its  magnificent  new  build- 
ings. Their  construction  extended  over  a  long 
period,  from  1904  to  1911,  during  which  time  the 
courses  were  expanded  and  improved  to  meet  the 
needs  of  our  new  Army. 

Once  again  the  country  is  at  war,  this  time  with 
the  most  powerful  and  resourceful  enemy  that 
our  citizens  have  been  called  upon  to  face. 

The  graduates  of  West  Point  will  prove  as  true 
to  their  traditions  in  this  struggle  as  they  have  in 
the  past,  and  West  Point  knows  that  they  will 
return  in  triumph  to  their  Alma  Mater  who  ever 
stands  ready  to  press  the  cup  of  greeting  to  the 
lips  of  all  honorable  and  loyal  sons. 


CHAPTER  III 


THE   REALIZATION   OF   AN   ARCHITECT'S   DREAM 


WHEN  the  springtime  rolls  around  and  the 
Hudson  River  is  at  its  best,  the  annual 
influx  of  visitors  begins  to  arrive  at  West  Point. 
Trains  and  boats  disgorge  official  visitors,  tourists, 
boy  scouts,  delegations  of  various  brotherhoods 
and  sisterhoods,  and  picknickers  galore.  Little 
groups  of  them  appear  in  all  corners  of  the  Post, 
in  the  area  of  Barracks,  on  the  Plain,  in  the  Public 
Buildings,  and  along  the  famous  Flirtation  Walk. 
Their  chief  interest,  of  course,  is  to  catch  a  glimpse 
of  the  cadets,  either  en  masse  or  individually. 
When  the  Corps  starts  either  to  meals  or  to  dress 
parade,  they  gather  along  the  sidewalks,  or  at  the 
visitors'  seats  to  watch  the  marching.  Some  openly 
express  their  enthusiasm  and  pleasure,  genuinely 
delighted  at  everything  they  see,  while  others  re- 
main silent  and  phlegmatic  apparently  taking  only 
a  languid  interest  in  their  surroundings. 

As  I  watch  my  fellow-countrymen  strolling 
about  the  grounds  of  the  Academy,  I  often  won- 
der what  are  their  impressions  of  this  institution. 
To  many,  of  course,  the  historic  traditions  of 

37 


38  West  Point 

West  Point,  as  well  as  its  functions  and  purposes, 
are  thoroughly  familiar,  but  to  a  vast  majority 
West  Point  is  a  closed  book.  They  see  the  cadets, 
the  drills,  the  buildings,  perhaps  parade,  but  they 
never  have  an  opportunity  to  acquaint  themselves 
with  the  intimate  life  of  the  Academy.  They 
do  not  derive  the  full  benefit  from  their  visit, 
because  they  are  in  the  position  of  regarding  the 
institution  from  the  outside.  In  many  cases, 
the  spirit  of  investigation  is  restrained  by  a  feeling 
of  timidity  upon  their  part,  a  feeling  of  awe  in 
the  face  of  military  surroundings. 

The  Army  is  so  little  known  to  the  people  in 
the  United  States,  that,  to  the  average  civilian, 
there  seems  to  be  some  sort  of  mystery  surround- 
ing military  life,  and  the  presence  of  a  man  in 
uniform,  with  a  waist  belt  and  pistol,  doing  plain 
police  duty,  appears  to  act  as  a  check  on  every 
natural  impulse.  The  pleasure  of  his  visit  is 
consequently  marred  to  some  extent  and  he  feels 
somewhat  ill-at-ease.  He  wants  to  investigate 
with  greater  freedom,  but  he  shrinks  from  being 
told  that  his  projects  are  "Verboten."  Upon 
his  departure  he  must  of  necessity  have  but  a 
superficial  idea  of  the  great  work  done  at  the 
Academy,  unless  he  has  been  fortunate  enough  to 
have  some  friend  stationed  at  West  Point  who 
dissipates  the  apparently  cold  atmosphere  of 
military  life. 

I  have  often  regretted,  as  I  watched  the  crowds 
swarming  around,  that  each  individual  might  not 


'  *  -••* . 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  39 

carry  away  a  real  appreciation  of  West  Point, 
instead  of  leaving  with  only  the  most  superficial 
impressions.  Unless  one  has  graduated  from  the 
Academy  it  is  impossible  to  seize  fully  the  spirit 
of  the  institution,  or  have  a  clear  idea  of  its  inti- 
mate life.  My  long  familiarity  with  West  Point, 
both  as  a  cadet  and  as  an  officer,  prompts  me 
to  portray  for  the  American  people  the  history, 
aims,  ideals,  and  spirit  of  their  National  Military 
Academy. 

West  Point  seen  for  the  first  time  from  the  river, 
whether  in  sunshine  or  through  the  mists,  is  a 
sight  not  soon- forgotten.  The  monumental  Rid- 
ing Hall  that  rises  out  of  the  cliff  of  which  it  seems 
to  form  a  part,  first  fixes  the  eye,  but  as  one's 
glance  wanders  a  little  higher  it  drinks  in  the 
towering  pile  of  Post  Headquarters;  higher  yet, 
the  eye  rests  for  a  moment  on  the  crenelated 
border  of  the  roof  of  the  Academic  Building,  and 
then,  higher  still,  it  pauses  to  contemplate  the 
beauty  of  West  Point's  crowning  architectural 
achievement,  the  Cadet  Chapel.  For  a  moment 
the  beholder  seems  withdrawn  from  the  sordid 
material  world,  and  filled  with  a  multitude  of 
noble  impressions.  He  experiences  a  spiritual  up- 
lift as  he  admires  the  majestic  simplicity  and 
grandeur  of  the  buildings,  an  architectural  tri- 
umph worthy  to  have  inspired  Ruskin's  beautiful 
thought,  "frozen  music." 

When  the  Government  determined  to  rebuild 
West  Point,  nearly  fifteen  years  ago,  the  presence 


40  West  Point 

of  two  fine  buildings  of  Gothic  design — the  Library 
and  the  Cadet  Barracks — decided  the  style  of  archi- 
tecture. These  two  buildings  ranked  as  perhaps 
the  most  successful  examples  of  the  Collegiate 
Gothic  that  was  much  in  vogue  for  educational 
institutions  in  the  country  half  a  century  ago.  A 
limited  competition  was  held  for  designs  and  all 
architects  who  had  distinguished  themselves  in 
Gothic  work  were  invited  to  participate.  Several 
beautiful  designs  for  a  Renaissance  treatment  were 
offered,  but  one  group  of  architects,  Cram,  Good- 
hue,  and  Ferguson,  submitted  drawings  for  so  ad- 
mirable a  Gothic  treatment  that  they  received  the 
unanimous  approval  of  a  board  of  judges  composed 
of  eminent  architects.  The  construction  of  the 
new  buildings  lasted  over  a  period  of  about  seven 
years,  during  which  time  the  work  was  under  the 
direction  of  Colonel  John  M.  Carson,  Jr.,  Quarter- 
master, who  was  representing  the  Government. 
In  writing  a  book  on  West  Point,  any  mention 
of  the  buildings  involves  the  name  of  Colonel 
Carson  who  performed  his  difficult  work  with  an 
unusual  amount  of  zeal  and  intelligence.  The 
result  is  that  the  new  buildings  are  splendidly 
constructed,  and  because  the  architects  had  an 
eye  for  harmony  these  structures  seem  to  grow 
out  of  the  rocks  upon  which  they  stand,  emphasiz- 
ing rather  than  detracting  from  West  Point's 
natural  beauty. 

The  north  road  from  the  station  passes  first, 
on  the  river  side,  the  Power  House  built  of  granite 


The  Administration  Building 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  41 

from  local  quarries.  It  is  designed  to  supply 
the  entire  institution  with  electricity  for  light 
and  power,  and  the  central  buildings  with  heat 
from  exhaust  steam.  In  a  building  of  this  nature, 
a  factory-like  look  would  be  taken  for  granted  and 
pardoned,  but,  on  the  contrary,  its  design  is  not 
only  adapted  for  its  function,  but  the  building 
forms  an  important  link  in  the  architectural  whole. 
It  assumes  its  place  quite  naturally  and  modestly, 
almost  unobtrusively  in  the  natural  landscape,  "ty- 
ing the  buildings  in  the  upper  terrace  with  the  base. 
The  tall  smoke-stack  is  cleverly  concealed  within 
the  walls  of  an  imposing  granite  tower. 

On  a  slightly  higher  level,  and  paralleling  the 
river,  is  the  Riding  Hall  splendidly  impressive 
with  its  broad  flat  buttresses.  The  latter  seem 
almost  akin  to  the  classic  order,  and  serve  in  a 
very  large  measure  to  reconcile  the  classicism 
of  the  neighboring  Cullum  Memorial  Hall, — an 
exotic  among  its  surroundings—  with  the  domi- 
nant Gothic  of  the  place.  The  present  Riding 
Hall  occupies  the  site  of  not  only  the  old  hall, 
but  also  of  the  old  Cavalry  stables,  and  barracks. 
The  old  hall  was  built  in  1855  and,  for  the  num- 
ber of  cadets  at  West  Point  during  the  ensuing 
fifty  years,  it  was  sufficiently  large.  With  the  in- 
crease of  the  Corps  of  Cadets,  and  the  quickened 
interest  throughout  the  Service  in  equitation, 
however,  more  spacious  accommodations  for  in- 
struction were  required.  Usually  when  a  building 
has  served  a  useful  and  honorable  purpose  for 


42  West  Point 

many  years,  its  demolition  is  generally  viewed 
with  regret.  There  was,  however,  no  sentimental 
attachment  for  the  Riding  Hall.  Many  a  pain- 
ful hour  had  cadets  spent  within  its  walls  learning 
to  ride  on  the  bare  back  of  a  raw-boned  horse, 
or  floundering  around  in  the  spongy  tanbark. 

In  the  little  plaza  at  the  junction  of  the  Power 
House  and  Riding  Hall,  the  road  winds  and  passes 
under  the  mediaeval  arch  of  the  Post  Headquarters, 
or  Administration  Building.  At  this  point,  the 
bulk  and  dignity  of  the  buildings  are  stupendous, 
and  admiringly  we  stand,  imprisoned,  it  would 
seem,  in  a  quadrangle  of  Middle  Age  fortresses, 
whose  sternness  and  solemnity  seem  symbolic  of 
discipline  and  strength.  The  main  entrance  to 
the  Riding  Hall  branches  from  the  road  a  few  paces 
beyond  the  arch,  the  lower  level  of  the  galleries 
being  reached  by  a  flight  of  steps  that  cling  to 
the  steep  retaining  wall  of  the  road.  The  great 
arena  is  150  by  600  feet  and  is  covered  by  a  can- 
tilever roof,  so  that  when  the  eye  first  encoun- 
ters this  interior,  a  sensation  of  its  vastness  holds 
the  spectator  in  its  grip.  The  roof  is  mostly  of 
glass  so  as  to  afford  a  maximum  of  light,  and  the 
floor  is  covered  with  tanbark  to  make  more  en- 
durable any  sudden  and  unexpected  descent  from 
the  back  of  a  capricious  beast.  The  building  is 
steam-heated  and  electric  lighted,  for  during  the 
winter  months,  equitation  drills  extend  into  the 
late  afternoon.  The  hall  can  be  divided  by  cur- 
tains into  three  smaller  halls,  a  scheme  that  per- 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  43 

mits  three  classes  to  undergo  instruction  at  the 
same  time.  In  one  portion  of  the  hall  are  stalls 
for  one  hundred  mounts,  but  the  majority  of 
the  horses  are  kept  at  the  cavalry  barracks.  The 
hall  is  so  large  that  during  the  winter  months 
the  U.  S.  M.  A.  Battery  of  Artillery  uses  it  for  a 
drill  ground,  thereby  keeping  the  horses  in  good 
condition  and  the  men  well  instructed.  Moreover, 
the  officers  and  cadets  are  enabled  to  keep  up  their 
practice  in  polo.  Every  Wednesday  and  Saturday 
afternoon,  teams  of  cadets  play  each  other,  or  try 
their  skill  against  civilian  opponents.  Along  the 
full  length  of  the  west  wall,  and  the  north  and  south 
end,  are  balconies  for  the  accommodation  of  vis- 
itors who  are  welcome  whenever  the  hall  is  open. 

Passing  once  more  under  the  arch,  we  admire 
again  for  a  moment  the  graceful  Herculean  pro- 
portions of  the  Administration  Building  whose 
imposing  square  tower,  tipped  with  four  smaller 
towers  at  the  corners,  rises  precipitately  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  feet.  It  is  an  interesting  fact  in 
these  days  of  steel  construction  that  this  tower  is 
built  of  solid  masonry.  At  the  southeast  angle 
of  the  building,  on  a  level  with  the  base  of  the 
main  floor,  is  an  enormous  eagle  carved  in  granite, 
its  head  high,  its  wings  outstretched  and  flattened 
back  proudly  against  the  two  sides  of  the  edifice,  as 
if  proclaiming  to  the  world  its  mission  of  protec- 
tion over  the  Academy  whose  administrative 
heart  is  enclosed  in  this  structure.  As  we  ascend 
the  stairway,  alongside  the  basement  at  the  left, 


44  West  Point 

we  pass  a  large  Gothic  window  which  affords  light 
to  a  vaulted  hall  used  for  courts-martial.  The 
interior  of  this  hall  is  in  keeping  with  the  mediae- 
val donjon  appearance  of  the  whole  building,  and 
of  such  a  chill  and  forbidding  aspect  as  to  inspire 
in  the  accused  a  feeling  of  guilt,  nolens  volens. 
The  flight  of  stairs  mounts  to  the  level  of  the 
Post  proper  where  an  eastern  view  of  the  building 
is  disclosed.  A  large  sally-port  leads  into  the 
court  around  which  the  building  is  constructed. 

The  exterior  walls  are  ornamented  with  shields 
representing  the  coats-of-arms  of  various  states, 
territories,  and  foreign  possessions  prepared  from 
the  official  seals,  and  expressed  according  to  the 
laws  of  Heraldry.  The  only  coat-of-arms  of  an 
individual  is  that  of  George  Washington,  at  the 
top  of  the  east  elevation  of  the  courtyard.  The 
obverse  and  reverse  of  the  great  seal  of  the  United 
States  will  be  found  above  the  east  and  west 
entrances,  respectively,  of  the  sally-port.  Flank- 
ing the  obverse  of  the  great  seal  are  the  seal  of 
the  War  Department  and  the  device  of  the  Corps 
of  Engineers.  In  addition  to  the  shields,  the 
devices  of  the  various  staff  departments,  usually 
associated  with  a  headquarters,  have  been  placed 
in  the  sally-port.  Two  of  them,  the  Adjutant- 
General's  Department,  and  the  Quartermaster's 
Department,  are  on  shields  on  the  north  side 
of  the  sally-port,  and  the  Subsistence  Depart- 
ment, Signal  Corps,  Pay  Department,  Ordnance 
Department,  Inspector-General's  Department, 


Colonel  Jonathan  Williams,  Corps  of  Engineers 
First  Superintendent  of  the  Military  Academy 

From  the  Painting  by  Thomas  Sully,  Library  U.S.M.A. 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  45 

Judge  -Advocate-General's  Department,  Medical 
Department,  and  Chaplain's  Corps,  are  on  corbels 
at  the  bases  of  the  ribs  of  the  arch. 

In  the  courtyard  the  names  that  are  carved  in 
the  granite  were  selected  for  the  following  reasons : 

WILLIAMS  Colonel  Jonathan  Williams,  first  Su- 
perintendent of  the  Military  Acad- 
emy. 

SWIFT  Colonel  Joseph  G.  Swift,  first  gradu- 

ate of  the  Military  Academy. 

TOTTEN  General  Joseph  G.  Totten,  the  tenth 
graduate  and  ex-officio  the  first 
inspector  of  the  Military  Academy 
while  serving  as  Chief  of  Engineers 
from  1838-1864. 

THAYER  Major  Sylvanus  Thayer,  Father  of 
the  Military  Academy. 

DELAFIELD  Colonel  Richard  Delafield,  Super- 
intendent from  1856  to  1 86 1,  under 
whose  administration  much  con- 
struction was  completed. 

JEFFERSON  Thomas  Jefferson,  third  President 
of  the  United  States,  during  whose 
administration,  1801  to  1809,  the 
Military  Academy  was  founded. 

MONROE  James  Monroe,  fifth  President  of 
the  United  States,  1817  to  1825, 
under  whose  administration  the  Mili- 
tary Academy  developed  and  was 
encouraged. 


46  West  Point 

Upon  the  second  floor  is  the  Academic  Board 
room,  a  Gothic  hall  illuminated  with  stained  glass 
windows  containing  emblems  of  the  various  arts 
and  sciences.  The  most  striking  feature  of  the 
room  is  the  massive  stone  mantel,  modeled  by 
Laurie  and  ornamented  with  statuettes  of  the 
world's  greatest  warriors. 

The  description  of  the  statuettes  and  the  reasons 
for  selecting  the  subject  are  given  in  a  letter  to  Dr. 
Holden,  late  librarian,  dated  November  23,  1906. 
An  Advisory  Board  of  officers  recommended : 

That  the  character  of  the  figures  on  the  mantle- 
piece  be  of  a  general  military  type — historical  or  legend- 
ary— best  salted  to  harmonize  with  the  architectural 
treatment  and  selected  by  the  architects  themselves 
from  the  three  lists  in  this  letter  of  November  23, 1906. 

The  heads  appearing  at  the  top  of  the  mantel 
— in  the  crenelations — have  no  relation  to  the 
statuettes  underneath.  The  small  shields  imme- 
diately below  the  statuettes  are,  however,  indica- 
tive of  the  subjects  as  follows: 

JOSHUA.  Sun  and  Moon — taken  from  the  Bib- 
lical legend  describing  the  distinctly  miraculous 
standing  still  of  the  Sun  on  the  occasion  of  a  cer- 
tain battle. 

HECTOR  OF  TROY.  Mycenaean  Scroll — a  sort 
of  triangular  fylfot,  which  stands  for  Mycenaean 
civilization.  This  device  would  apply  equally 
to  that  of  Troy  of  which  Hector  was  the  greatest 
figure. 


Colonel  Joseph  G.  Swift 
First  Graduate  of  the  Military  Academy 

From  the  Painting  by  Thomas  Sully,  Library  U.S.M.A. 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  47 

DAVID.  King  of  all  Israel,  warrior  and  psalm- 
ist— the  harp — selected  by  the  architects  instead 
of  a  little  sling,  especially  since  the  head  of  Goliath 
is  under  the  foot  of  the  figure  above. 

ALEXANDER  THE  GREAT.  A  conventionalized 
Gordian  knot  severed. 

JULIUS  GESAR.  The  standard  carried  by  the 
famous  Roman  Legions. 

CHARLEMAGNE.  King  of  the  Franks — The  im- 
perial iron  crown. 

KING  ARTHUR  OF  ENGLAND.  The  Holy  Grail, 
symbolizing  the  whole  purpose  of  his  career. 

GODFREY  DE  BOUILLON.  Heraldic  cross  of  Jeru- 
salem of  which  city  he  was  king  and  which  forms  a 
part  of  his  own  coat-of-arms. 

JUDAS  MACCABEUS.  The  hammer — which  is 
the  actual  meaning  of  the  name  " Maccabeus." 

In  the  mantel,  the  figures  are  arranged  chrono- 
logically and  historically.  Three  of  them,  i.  e.y 
Hector,  Alexander,  and  Caesar,  were  Heathen ;  three 
were  Christians,  viz.:  Charlemagne,  King  Arthur, 
and  Godfrey;  and  three  were  Jews,  viz.:  Joshua, 
David,  and  Judas. 

The  choice  of  subjects  was  suggested  to  the 
architects  by  Caxton's  preface  to  the  first  volume 
of  Sir  Thomas  Malory's  Morte  d' Arthur,  from 
which  the  following  quotation  covering  the  choice 
of  the  figures  is  taken : 

For  it  is  notorly  known  through  the  universal 
world,  that  there  be  nine  worthy  and  the  best  that 


48  West  Point 

ever  were,  that  is  to  wit,  three  Paynims,  three  Jews, 
and  three  Christian  men.  As  for  the  Paynims,  they 
were  to-fore  the  Incarnation  of  Christ,  which  were 
named,  the  first  Hector  of  Troy,  of  whom  the  history 
is  comen  both  in  ballad  and  in  prose,  the  second  Alex- 
ander the  Great,  and  the  third  Julius  Cassar,  Emperor 
of  Rome,  of  whom  the  histories  be  well  known  and 
had.  And  as  for  the  three  Jews,  which  were  also 
to-fore  the  Incarnation  of  our  Lord,  of  whom  the 
first  was  Duke  Joshua  which  brought  the  children  of 
Israel  into  the  land  of  behest,  the  second  David,  King 
of  Jerusalem,  and  the  third  Judas  Maccabeus,  of  these 
three  the  Bible  rehearseth  all  their  noble  histories 
and  acts.  And  since  the  said  Incarnation  have 
been  three  noble  Christian  men,  stalled  and  admitted 
through  the  universal  world  into  the  number  of  the 
nine  best  and  worthy.  Of  whom  was  first  the  noble 
Arthur.  The  second  was  Charlemain,  or  Charles  the 
Great,  of  whom  the  history  is  had  in  many  places, 
both  in  French  and  English.  And  the  third  and  last 
was  Godfrey  of  Boloine. 

Upon  the  same  floor  as  the  Academic  Board 
room  are  the  three  offices  of  the  Superintendent, 
the  Adjutant,  and  the  clerks.  The  Headquar- 
ters building  houses,  moreover,  the  offices  of  the 
Treasurer,  the  Quartermaster,  the  printing  shops, 
the  Post  Office,  and  the  Ordnance  Museum,  the 
entrance  to  which  is  at  the  left  of  the  sally-port. 
Begun  in  1854,  the  Museum  has  throughout  the 
years  gathered  some  valuable  trophies  of  war,  in- 
teresting relics,  and  models  of  the  arms  of  all 
nations.  Visitors  are  well  repaid  by  a  visit  to  this 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  49 

interesting  "spot.  Historic  relics  abound  in  the 
rooms.  I  might  mention  among  them  a  portion 
of  the  flagstaff  that  was  at  Fort  Sumter  in  1861 ; 
presentation  swords  belonging  to  distinguished 
American  generals;  General  Grant's  uniform  and 
horse  equipment;  mementoes  of  the  Philippine 
insurrection  and  of  the  war  with  Spain,  not  to 
speak  of  a  rare  and  beautiful  collection  of  weapons 
of  all  kinds.  Not  the  least  interesting  part  of 
the  exhibit  are  the  trophies  of  the  Revolution.  In 
glass  cases  are  preserved  five  flags  captured  by  the 
American  army  during  the  Revolution,  two  of 
which  were  British  royal  colors,  and  three  taken 
from  the  German  mercenaries  sent  over  by  King 
George.  The  former  were  taken  at  Yorktown.  All 
these  flags  were  originally  the  property  of  General 
Washington  by  whom  they  were  bequeathed  to 
George  Washington  Parke  Custis,  the  son  of  his 
adopted  son,  and  grandson  of  Mrs.  Washington. 
He  in  turn  bequeathed  them  to  the  War  Depart- 
ment, which  came  into  possession  of  them  in  1858. 
The  same  year  Secretary  Floyd  presented  them  to 
the  Academy. 

Across  the  road  from  the  Administration  Build- 
ing is  the  Cadet  Mess.  It  is  one  of  the  oldest 
buildings,  the  main  part  dating  from  1850.  The 
architecture  conforms  in  a  general  way  to  that 
of  the  new  buildings.  With  its  broad  pavement 
in  front,  it  sets  well  back  from  the  road,  possessing 
not  only  the  dignity  of  its  more  imposing  neigh- 
bors, but  in  addition  a  certain  quaint  charm. 


50  West  Point 

The  large  central  doors  give  access  to  the  main 
hall  whose  walls  are  hung  with  portraits  of  distin- 
guished graduates,  chiefly  the  former  Superintend- 
ents of  the  Academy.  Perhaps  the  most  interesting 
painting  is  that  of  General  Robert  E.  Lee,  who 
was  Superintendent  in  1852.  Frequently  I  have 
heard  visitors  express  surprise  that  General  Lee's 
portrait  should  hang  in  the  halls  of  the  National 
Military  Academy,  notwithstanding  he  was  a  grad- 
uate and  afterwards  a  Superintendent.  The  fact 
that  he  fought  against  the  Union,  they  argue, 
should  preclude  the  bestowal  of  the  honor. 
West  Point,  however,  considers  that  since  we  are 
a  united  people  once  more,  his  record  should  be 
recognized  by  his  Alma  Mater  from  whom  he 
learned  the  lessons  that  brought  him  his  fame 
and  his  glory. 

Symmetrically  arranged  in  the  hall  are  the  mess 
tables^  They  are  made  to  accommodate  ten  ca- 
dets, but  occasionally,  here  and  there,  two  tables 
are  shoved  together  for  economy  of  floor  space. 
At  these  tables  are  twenty  cadets.  It  is  a  pleasure 
to  enter  the  Mess  Hall  prior  to  any  meal.  Every 
table  is  immaculate  with  its  snowy  clean  cloth, 
its  polished  cutlery,  and  shining  crockery.  The 
cadets  are  not  seated  by  classes  but  by  companies, 
each  company  having  a  certain  number  of  tables 
in  the  section  of  the  hall  assigned  its  battalion. 
As  a  rule,  the  ten  messmates  are  made  up  of  three 
first  classmen,  two  second  classmen,  two  third 
classmen,  and  three  fourth  classmen.  The  latter 


11  1 


a  I 

*o    "8 


•«     H 
0) 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  51 

are  given,  by  custom  of  the  Corps,  various  duties 
to  perform  at  mess  such  as  carving  the  meat,  pro- 
curing the  coffee  and  milk. 

Three  long  passageways  lead  from  the  main 
dining-hall  to  the  kitchen.  At  first  glance  the 
super-cleanliness  of  the  surroundings  strikes  the 
observer,  but  his  attention  is  soon  attracted  to 
the  numerous  clever  devices  for  cooking,  and  for 
saving  time  and  labor.  The  preparation  of  the  food 
for  cooking  occurs  outside  of  the  kitchen  proper. 
Each  department  prepares  its  kind,  whereupon  it 
is  carried  to  the  chef  to  be  cooked  and  served. 
The  labor  of  preparation  is  greatly  reduced  by 
the  liberal  use  of  machinery.  A  clever  electrical 
machine  rapidly  peels  the  potatoes,  a  whole 
bushel  of  them,  in  a  few  minutes;  other  contriv- 
ances make  and  cut  the  bread,  sterilize  the  milk, 
freeze  the  ice-cream;  and  wash  and  dry  the  innu- 
merable dishes.  Without  the  aid  of  these  labor- 
saving  devices  it  would  be  impossible  to  maintain 
such  an  excellent  mess  for  the  cadets.  Even  now 
the  capacity  of  the  plant  is  tested  almost  to  its 
limit,  and  with  the  increase  in  the  Corps  to  1200 
cadets,  it  will  be  necessary  either  to  enlarge  the 
present  Cadet  Mess  or  to  build  a  new  hall.  The 
disappearance  of  the  present  Mess,  Grant  Hall, 
will  be  viewed  with  great  regret  by  many  gradu- 
ates who  dined  for  four  long  years  within  its 
really  historic  walls. 

South  of  the  Cadet  Mess  is  the  Hospital  for 
cadets,  a  large  granite  building  perched  on  a 


52  West  Point 

terrace,  well  back  from  the  road.  It  consists  of  a 
central  portion  of  three  stories  and  basement, 
with  two  wings  of  two  stories  each  and  basement. 
The  older  portions  date  from  1875,  but  the  wings 
are  of  more  recent  construction.  The  wings  are 
practically  detached  from  the  main  portion  of 
the  building  for  the  possible  isolation  of  cases. 
The  equipment  is,  of  course,  modern  in  every 
respect.  Each  wing  contains  two  wards,  making 
four  in  all,  named  respectively  Cuyler,  McElderry, 
McParlin,  and  Wheaton  in  honor  of  former  dis- 
tinguished military  surgeons  on  duty  at  West 
Point.  I  do  not  suppose  that  there  is  a  building 
on  the  Post  which  arouses  in  cadets  so  many 
different  kinds  of  feeling.  To  some  it  is  a  place 
to  be  avoided,  but  to  a  large  number,  especially 
to  those  who  succeed  in  entering  for  minor  ail- 
ments, it  is  viewed  as  a  haven  of  rest.  It  is  the 
one  place  where  the  cadets  are  free  from  the  irk- 
some routine,  where  there  is  no  reveille,  and  where 
the  convalescents  revel  in  what  appears  to  them 
epicurean  feasts.  Vatel,  the  famous  French  chef, 
never  enjoyed  more  renown  than  does  the  cook 
at  the  hospital. 

Almost  every  cadet  has  a  secret  longing  to  be 
in  the  hospital  at  least  for  a  short  period  during 
his  course,  and  those  who  "break  in"  for  slight 
ailments  are  regarded  with  a  special  esteem  by 
their  fellows.  One  of  the  first  adages  that  a 
plebe  learns  at  West  Point  is  "faint  heart  never 
broke  into  the  hospital."  The  surgeons,  how- 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  53 

ever,  are  pretty  clever  men  and  they  size  up  the 
situation  very  clearly  in  each  case. 

I  remember  that  upon  one  occasion  when  I 
was  a  cadet,  a  group  of  convalescents  were,  one 
winter  day,  holding  a  mutual  congratulatory 
meeting  in  one  of  the  wards,  the  burden  of  the 
conversation  being  their  luck  and  also  their  skill 
in  remaining  so  long  in  this  abode  of  rest.  Arthur 

C ,  who  was  the  most  successful  of  the  disciples 

of  the  "rest  cure,"  was  perched  upon  a  bed  ex- 
plaining to  an  admiring  line  of  heads  in  little 
snow-white  cots,  the  strategy  necessary  to  remain 
in  the  ward,  finishing  his  discourse  oratorically; 
"Some  may  come  and  some  may  go  but  /  stay 
on  forever!"  when  the  door  opened  and  in  walked 

the  surgeon.  Cadet  C was  next  day  returned 

to  duty. 

The  officer  in  charge  of  the  hospital  is  the  Post 
Surgeon,  who  is  assisted  by  three  or  four  captains 
of  the  Medical  Corps,  and  by  several  Dental 
Surgeons.  These  officers  are  also  in  charge  of 
the  Soldiers'  Hospital,  a  separate  building  for  the 
enlisted  men  of  the  garrison,  and  are  responsible 
for  the  general  health  of  the  command. 

The  chief  buildings  of  the  Academy  occupy 
relatively  a  small  area  of  ground.  Just  north  of 
the  Cadet  Mess  and  flanking  the  main  road  are 
the  two  Academic  buildings,  known  as  the  East 
and  West  Academic.  The  East  building  is  new, 
having  been  completed  in  1913,  one  of  the  last 
provided  for  in  the  rebuilding  of  West  Point. 


54  West  Point 

The  West  Academic  building,  which  was  com- 
pleted in  1895,  is  built  of  Massachusetts  granite 
and  cost  about  five  hundred  thousand  dollars. 
In  this  building  are  located  the  Departments  of 
Civil  and  Military  Engineering,  Mathematics, 
Law,  Drawing,  Ordnance  and  Gunnery,  and 
English  and  History;  in  the  East  building  the 
Departments  of  Modern  Languages,  Chemistry 
and  Electricity,  Natural  and  Experimental  Phi- 
losophy. The  latter  building  is  provided  with 
the  most  modern  lecture  rooms,  electrical  and 
chemical  laboratories,  besides  a  mineralogical 
and  geological  museum.  The  major  portion  of 
both  buildings  contain  the  section  rooms  for 
recitation  purposes.  Visitors  are  admitted  if 
accompanied  by  an  officer. 

The  architecture  of  both  of  these  buildings  is 
Gothic,  but  that  of  the  new  or  East  building  is  of 
a  more  exquisite  beauty.  Splendidly  situated, 
it  gives  the  impression  of  bulk  and  mass,  much 
the  same  feeling  that  one  has  in  regarding  a  dread- 
nought for  the  first  time,  but  this  impression  soon 
gives  way  to  an  appreciation  of  a  certain  delicacy 
of  treatment,  a  simple  dignity  that  pleases.  One 
of  the  best  impressions  of  its  beauty  is  obtained 
about  dusk  when  the  evening  mists  dim  its  out- 
lines and  its  surface  is  bathed  in  shadows  relieved 
only  by  the  glimmering  of  the  mediaeval  lanterns 
on  either  side  of  the  main  door. 

Immediately  facing  the  center  of  the  East 
Academic  Building  and  across  the  road,  is  a  large 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  55 

opening  known  as  a  sally-port  through  which  the 
sections  of  cadets  must  march  to  recitations  in 
the  East  Academic  building.  This  passageway 
connects  the  main  road  with  the  area  of  barracks, 
a  space  of  ground  that  derives  its  name  from  the 
brown-stone  buildings  that  bound  a  portion  of  its 
perimeter.  Along  one  side  is  a  cement  walk  on 
which  the  cadets  form  to  be  marched  to  their 
recitations,  and  a  sidewalk  borders  the  barracks. 
With  the  exception  of  a  small  plot  of  grass  near 
the  Academic  building  the  area  is  devoid  of  ver- 
dure, but  is  covered  with  a  fine  gravel  that  gives 
a  clean  and  well-groomed  appearance  to  the 
ground.  The  word  "Area"  has  great  connoting 
power.  To  a  large  number  of  cadets,  it  vividly 
brings  to  mind  the  punishment  tours  that  they 
wearily  trudged  on  Wednesday  and  Saturday 
afternoons  across  its  surface.  To  the  majority, 
however,  it  is  the  "  hub  "  of  cadet  life,  the  assembly 
place  for  recitations,  sometimes  for  meals;  the 
scene  of  many  an  inspection  or  a  guard  mount, 
and  most  important  of  all,  it  contains  a  small 
insignificant  building  with  a  clock  tower  where 
dwell  the  Commandant  of  Cadets  and  his  assist- 
ants, the  Tactical  officers. 

The  building  on  the  north  and  west  of  the  area 
is  the  South  Cadet  Barracks,  built  in  1848.  This 
edifice,  of  360  feet  frontage,  is  constructed  of 
native  granite,  with  crenelations  and  cornices  of 
red  sandstone,  and  the  Elizabethan  style  of  its 
architecture  harmonizes  perfectly  with  the  Gothic 


56  West  Point 

of  the  new  buildings.  In  fact,  the  old  Cadet 
Barracks  is  one  of  West  Point's  handsomest 
buildings.  There  are  two  hundred  rooms  in 
the  building,  14  x  22  feet,  each  planned  to  accom- 
modate two  cadets.  It  is  completely  supplied 
with  modern  plumbing,  heating,  and  electric 
lights.  The  barracks  are  divided  into  divisions, 
each  containing  sixteen  rooms.  There  is  no 
lateral  communication  between  the  divisions,  but 
a  certain  number  of  them  are  assigned  to  a  com- 
pany, according  to  its  strength.  At  present  the 
1st  Bn.  Cos.  A,  B,  C,  and  D  are  quartered  here. 

I  have  often  stood  in  the  Area  of  Barracks  and 
looked  through  the  north  sally-port  to  enjoy  the 
fine  vista  that  it  framed.  A  section  of  the  Plain 
fills  half  the  picture,  a  beautiful  foreground, 
either  when  resignedly  spread  out  to  the  heat 
of  the  Highland  summer,  or  shivering  under  its 
fleecy  blanket  of  snow,  over  which  the  winter 
winds  angrily  blow.  In  the  upper  half  against 
the  far-away  background  of  the  Highland  hills 
is  the  slender  flagstaff,  sometimes  swathed  in  the 
folds  of  our  national  emblem,  sometimes  resisting 
with  all  its  strength  the  fluttering  of  its  precious 
charge  which  seems  to  implore  its  release  to  join 
the  flight  of  the  breeze. 

As  we  leave  the  north  sally-port  and  turn  toward 
the  angle  between  the  two  sets  of  barracks,  high 
on  the  hill  the  monumental  Cadet  Chapel,  West 
Point's  spiritual  fortress,  looms  above  with  extra- 
ordinary effectiveness.  It  has  a  fine  site  on  a 


d. 

o 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  57 

commanding  spur  just  above  the  old  Cadet  Bar- 
racks on  the  west,  from  which  point  it  dominates 
the  Post.  It  lies  in  the  shadow  of  old  Fort  Put- 
nam of  Revolutionary  fame,  and,  built  of  stone 
quarried  from  its  own  hill,  it  seems  a  part  of  its 
naturally  beautiful  surroundings. 

This  edifice  is  in  reality  a  large  church  with  a 
seating  capacity  of  fourteen  hundred  persons.  In 
plan  it  is  a  crucifix,  surmounted  by  a  large  cen- 
tral tower  whose  parapet  is  130  feet  above  the 
pavement  of  the  interior  and  420  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  river.  The  tower  contains  two 
stories :  the  bell-ringer's  story  and  the  belfry  above. 
There  are  as  yet  no  chimes,  but  on  national  holi- 
days, Christmas  morning,  and  Easter,  the  band 
mounts  to  the  bell-ringer's  story,  and  the  airs 
appropriate  for  the  day  float  out  through  the 
louver  windows  in  a  weird  and  mysterious  man- 
ner, as  if  some  invisible  symphony  was  playing  in 
the  clouds. 

Just  above  the  stately  clerestory  windows,  and 
around  the  cornice  of  the  building,  is  a  row  of 
carved  figures,  little  bosses,  representing  the  quest 
of  the  Holy  Grail.  Over  the  door  of  the  main  en- 
trance is  a  great  two-handed  sword,  Excalibur. 

One  should  pause  for  a  moment  on  the  terrace 
in  front  of  the  main  entrance  to  enjoy  the  mag- 
nificent panorama.  In  the  distance,  flows  the 
Hudson  winding  among  the  Highland  hills,  and 
skirting  the  great  Plain  along  whose  edge  stand 
the  Bachelor  Building,  Cullum  Hall,  and  the 


58  West  Point 

Officers'  Mess.  Directly  below,  in  the  shelter  of 
the  chapel  hill,  are  grouped  all  of  the  main  build- 
ings pertaining  to  the  cadets,  the  most  conspicu- 
ous of  which  are  the  barracks.  Viewed  from  this 
height  the  arrangement  of  the  buildings  resembles 
a  regular  nest,  le  nid  des  cadets. 

A  winding  road  back  of  the  barracks  leads  to 
the  Chapel.  The  interior  of  the  Chapel  is  200 
feet  long,  and  across  the  transepts,  72  feet  wide. 
The  nave  contains  fourteen  large  Gothic  windows, 
now  filled  with  temporary  glass  but  which  will 
later  be  replaced  with  memorial  windows. 

The  jewel  of  the  interior  is  the  great  chancel 
window,  with  its  noble  inscription : 

Erected  to  the  glory  of  the  God  of  Battles  and  in 
faithful  memory  of  the  departed  graduates  of  the 
United  States  Military  Academy,  West  Point,  by  the 
living  alumni. 

The  deep  shades  of  purple  and  red  give  the  win- 
dow an  extraordinary  richness.  The  best  lights 
from  the  glass  are  obtained  in  the  early  afternoon 
about  four  o'clock.  It  is  of  rare  richness  and 
beauty,  and  for  subject,  color,  and  arrangement 
it  is  thought  to  be  unexcelled  in  our  country. 
There  are  twenty-seven  panels,  each  of  which  con- 
tains an  almost  life-size  figure  representing  one  of 
the  chief  militant  figures  in  the  Bible.  Services 
are  held  in  the  Chapel  every  Sunday  morning 
at  a  quarter  before  eleven  and  are  attended  by 


The  Interior  of  the  Chapel 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  59 

cadets,  officers,  enlisted  men,  their  families,  and  a 
large  number  of  visitors.  In  addition  to  the  regu- 
lar service  in  the  Chapel,  where  the  cadet  choir 
of  one  hundred  and  five  voices  is  a  feature,  a  series 
of  organ  recitals,  free  to  the  public,  is  given  each 
year. 

The  organ  is  of  unusually  fine  quality  and  is 
surprisingly  effective  for  an  instrument  of  three 
manuals,  or  keyboards.  But  it  is  still  incom- 
plete, being  both  undersized  for  this  cathedral-like 
building  and  inadequate  to  the  proper  performance 
of  the  finest  music.  The  addition  of  a  fourth 
manual,  with  its  pipes  located  in  the  gallery  op- 
posite the  present  organ,  now  eloquently  vacant, 
is  needed  to  bring  the  musical  part  of  the  service 
and  the  recitals  up  to  the  highest  efficiency. 

Upon  the  completion  of  the  improvements 
contemplated  the  organ  will  become  one  of  the 
art  glories  of  the  country,  and  with  the  Chapel, 
— perfect  in  architecture,  surroundings,  and  acous- 
tics— would  create  an  atmosphere  of  rare  ideal- 
ism. The  acquisition  of  every  new  stop  given  is 
indicated  by  a  bronze  tablet  placed  upon  the  con- 
sole, or  key  desk,  of  the  organ.  The  significance 
of  such  tablets  would  make  this  organ  and  con- 
sole unique,  not  only  in  establishing  historic 
traditions  but  also  in  affording  substantial  en- 
couragement to  the  volunteer  organist  and  to  the 
choir. 

The  opportunity  here  presented  is  most  worthy 
for  anyone  desirous  of  establishing  a  memorial 


60  West  Point 

to  a  graduate  of  the  Academy,  for  a  graduate 
wishing  to  honor  the  memory  of  one  of  his  imme- 
diate family,  for  a  class  gift,  or  for  anyone  inter- 
ested in  furthering  an  artistic  influence  over  the 
lives  of  the  future  officers  of  the  Army  of  our 
country. 

To  assist  in  the  completion  of  the  organ,  a  fund, 
known  as  the  "Organ  Fund"  has  been  started, 
which  is  kept  alive  by  recital  offerings,  private 
subscriptions,  and  proceeds  from  sale  of  "The 
Corps,"  a  popular  West  Point  song. 

In  the  transepts  are  galleries  but  they  are  not 
at  present  equipped  with  seats.  Along  the  nave 
also  are  covered  galleries,  almost  hidden  from 
view  by  the  suspended  flags. 

A  request  made  to  the  sexton  will  enable  the 
visitor  to  see  the  crypt,  a  vaulted  room  beneath 
the  Chapel  that  is  designed  to  be  the  final  resting 
place  of  West  Point's  illustrious  military  dead. 

To  care  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  cadets 
and  other  residents  of  the  Post,  there  is  a  Chap- 
lain who  is  appointed  by  the  President.  His  term 
of  office  is  for  four  years,  but  he  is  usually  re- 
appointed. 

The  location  of  the  Chapel  makes  it  visible  from 
many  places  on  the  Post.  In  walking  around  the 
grounds,  every  once  in  a  while  an  extraordinarily 
effective  view  of  the  fine  building  strikes  the 
beholder.  Each  glimpse  seems  more  beautiful 
than  the  previous  one,  and  a  general  impression 
remains  that  the  Chapel  holds  a  spiritual  do- 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  61 

minion  over  the  institution.  Every  corner  of  the 
main  part  of  West  Point  seems  under  its  influ- 
ence. This  feeling  is  particularly  strong  as  we 
stand  on  the  sidewalk  between  the  old  and  new 
Cadet  Barracks  and  gaze  at  this  monumental 
pile  of  ethereal  beauty  that  seems  to  lose  itself 
in  the  sky.  I  never  view  the  Chapel  from  this 
point  without  thinking  of  one  of  Maxfield  Par- 
rish's  imaginative  paintings  of  the  Arabian  Nights. 

In  the  southwest  angle  of  the  Plain,  from  where 
I  like  to  view  the  Chapel,  is  a  white  granite  statue 
of  Major  Sylvanus  Thayer,  class  of  1808.  The 
funds  for  this  modest  but  beautiful  monument, 
which  was  unveiled  June  n,  1883,  were  contri- 
buted by  loyal  graduates  of  the  Academy  and 
by  loving  friends.  General  Thayer  was  Super- 
intendent of  the  Academy  from  1817  to  1833. 
He  was  the  first  to  establish  a  real  curriculum, 
and  so  valuable  were  his  services  that  he  has 
since  been  called  "the  Father  of  the  Academy.*' 
The  body  of  the  distinguished  officer  was  brought 
from  South  Brain  tree,  Mass.,  and  reinterred  in 
the  Post  cemetery  on  November  8,  1877.  The 
sculptor  of  the  monument  was  Carl  Conrad. 

On  the  west  side  of  the  Plain  is  the  North 
Cadet  Barracks,  one  of  the  new  buildings  com- 
pleted in  1908.  The  Gothic  style  employed  in 
the  treatment  of  this  building,  while  resembling 
somewhat  that  of  the  old  barracks,  has  more 
dignity,  beauty,  and  grace.  Not  enough  differ- 
ence exists  between  the  two  to  cause  any  lack  of 


62 


West  Point 


harmony.  Chief  among  the  changes  made  in 
the  new  barracks  are  the  windows  which  are  triple 
instead  of  single.  As  far  as  the  interior  is  con- 
cerned the  arrangement  is  identical.  Modern 
plumbing  has  been  installed  in  the  old  barracks 
to  conform  to  its  new  neighbor,  so  that  the  cadets 
of  today  are  no  longer  obliged  to  run  down  to 
the  area  to  draw  their  water  from  the  hydrant. 
The  very  mention  of  this  ancient  and  picturesque 
custom  brings  back  many  memories,  chiefly  cen- 
tered around  reveille  on  a  bitterly  cold  morning. 
Immediately  upon  the  dismissal  of  the  ranks, 
hordes  of  cadets  (it  seemed  to  me),  clustered 
around  one  poor  little  hydrant  from  which  a 
thin  stream  of  icy  water  trickled  into  the  papier 
mache  buckets.  Now,  upon  each  floor  of  barracks 
are  faucets  with  hot  and  cold  water!  I  wish  that 
I  were  a  cadet  again ! 

No  one  would  judge  the  building  to  be  a  mili- 
tary barracks.  Rather,  a  study  of  its  lines  would 
suggest  that  it  was  the  home  of  some  religious 
order.  It  has  an  undeniable  ecclesiastical  char- 
acter that  impresses  one  immediately.  I  have 
always  derived  great  pleasure  in  contemplating 
its  beauty  and  my  imagination  at  these  times 
fancies  it  as  the  refuge,  the  shelter,  the  sanctu- 
ary of  a  body  of  men  separated  from  the  material 
affairs  of  the  world.  It  seems  made  to  house 
only  the  best  and  noblest  in  nature,  to  be  the 
environment  from  which  high  ideals  receive  their 
greatest  inspiration.  A  group  of  happy  smiling 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  63 

cadets  coming  out  of  their  rooms  at  this  moment 
tells  me  that  my  imagination  has  been  dwelling 
upon  reality  and  not  wandering  into  fantastic 
fields.  This  building  is  indeed  the  home  of  a 
splendid  Order,  the  inspiring  order  of  young 
manhood,  clean-minded  and  honorable,  trained 
in  a  school  where  they  are  taught  the  most  scru- 
pulous regard  for  the  truth,  and  where  they  are 
given  a  mens  sana  in  corpore  sano. 

In  the  quadrangle  the  light  brick  facing  gives, 
in  all  sorts  of  weather,  a  bright  cheerful  aspect, 
a  sunny  appearance,  that  contrasts  in  a  most 
welcome  manner  with  the  gloom  of  the  quadrangle 
of  the  old  barracks. 

Set  well  back  from  the  Plain,  and  to  the  north 
of  the  new  barracks,  is  the  Gymnasium.  It  is 
not  built  of  granite  like  its  neighbor,  the  new 
barracks,  but  has  received  from  the  hands  of  the 
architect  an  artistic  and  interesting  treatment  of 
brick  and  limestone.  The  broad  wall-like  sur- 
face of  the  front  is  broken  by  six  flat  buttresses, 
whose  terminals  are  richly  decorated.  Viewing 
the  building  from  the  southeast  corner  these 
buttresses  appear  like  giant  sentinels,  fine  speci- 
mens of  the  building's  physical  development. 
Par  across  the  parade  ground  the  Bachelor 
Officers'  quarters,  of  similar  design,  serves  with  the 
Gymnasium  to  link  in  one  harmonious  whole  the 
old  and  new  buildings  surrounding  the  Plain. 

The  second  story  is  devoted  to  the  gymnasium 
proper.  It  is  lighted  by  large  skylights,  and 


64  West  Point 

equipped  with  every  possible  device  for  physical 
development.  The  remainder  of  the  building 
houses  a  fine  natatorium,  77  feet  wide  and  92 
feet  long,  with  a  swimming-pool  40  feet  wide  and 
80  feet  long;  a  fencing-room,  a  boxing-room,  a 
wrestling-room,  besides  the  necessary  dressing- 
rooms  for  both  cadets  and  officers.  In  the  base- 
ment is  a  shooting  gallery  for  indoor  rifle  and 
pistol  practice. 

North  of  the  Gymnasium  and  fronting  the  Plain, 
are  the  quarters  of  the  Superintendent  of  the 
Academy,  an  interesting  old  house  that  dates 
from  1820.  Surrounding  the  house  is  a  quaint 
old  ironwork  porch  of  later  date,  but  old  enough 
to  be  a  curiosity  today.  A  well-proportioned 
central  hall  gives  access  to  charming  suites  of 
spacious  rooms  on  both  sides  of  the  quarters, 
but  the  suite  on  the  left  is  the  more  beautiful 
for  it  offers  a  fascinating  vista  of  three  large 
rooms  terminating  in  a  conservatory  filled  with 
exotic  plants.  Delightful  hospitality  has  been 
dispensed  in  these  rooms  to  some  of  the  most 
noted  people  in  the  world.  Royalty,  distinguished 
foreigners,  civilians,  and  soldiers,  noted  American 
men  and  women  are  constantly  visiting  West 
Point  to  inspect  the  school  and  are  always  enter- 
tained by  the  Superintendent.  If  the  walls  of 
these  quarters  could  speak  they  would  relate  some 
interesting  incidents  of  the  official  life  of  West 
Point.  The  beauty  of  the  rooms  is  today  en- 
hanced by  a  number  of  fine  family  portraits, 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  65 

painted  by  Thomas  Sully,  and  the  property  of 
the  present  Superintendent,  Colonel  John  Biddle, 
Corps  of  Engineers. 

At  any  official  function  the  guests  usually 
crowd  the  fascinating  old  porch  to  watch  the 
evolutions  of  the  cadets  upon  the  Plain  opposite, 
or  sometimes  they  indulgently  stand  on  the  front 
stone  steps  to  pose  for  the  breathlessly  impatient 
movie  men  and  photographers.  The  quarters 
are  surrounded  by  beautiful,  well-kept  lawns  and 
tall  graceful  elm  trees. 

A  traveler  may  go  far  before  he  will  behold  so 
majestic  a  view  as  that  of  the  Hudson  River  from 
Trophy  Point  and  Battle  Monument.  For  pure 
beauty  it  is  unsurpassed.  In  the  distance  lies 
the  city  of  Newburg,  against  a  dim  background 
of  the  Shawangunk  Mountains,  and  in  the  fore- 
ground the  little  village  of  Coldspring  nestles 
close  to  the  side  of  rugged  Breakneck.  On  the 
opposite  side  Cro's  Nest  descends  abruptly  to 
the  water.  At  this  spot  the  Hudson  seems  to 
be  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  land  so  that  the 
beholder  might  well  imagine  himself  in  Europe 
among  the  Italian  Lakes. 

Upon  this  spot  are  a  number  of  trophies,  among 
the  most  interesting  of  which  is  a  portion  of  the 
old  chain  that,  during  the  Revolutionary  War, 
was  stretched  across  the  river  from  just  above 
Gee's  Point  to  Constitution  Island  to  prevent 
the  passage  of  the  British  ships. 

On   a  wooden   carriage  is   a  large  Armstrong 


66  West  Point 

gun,  captured  at  Fort  Fisher  during  the  Civil 
War,  and  nearby  are  many  other  guns  taken  in 
the  Mexican  and  Spanish  Wars.  The  Swartzkopf 
torpedo  inclosed  in  an  iron  railing  was  captured 
from  the  Spanish  cruiser  Viscaya  in  the  war  with 
Spain,  and  the  twenty-pound  stone  ball  was 
brought  from  Smyrna,  Turkey. 

The  polished  monolith  of  granite  nearby  upon 
whose  tip  stands  winged  "Fame,"  poised  with 
trumpet  and  outstretched  wreath,  is  Battle  Monu- 
ment. The  names  which  may  be  read  upon  its 
rolls  are  the  victims  of  the  Regular  Army  of  1861, 
to  whose  memory  their  comrades  in  arms  have 
created  this  beautiful  memorial. 

IN   MEMORY 

OF  THE 
OFFICERS  AND  MEN 

OF  THE 

REGULAR  ARMY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 
WHO  FELL  IN  BATTLE  DURING  THE 

WAR  OF  THE  REBELLION 

THIS  MONUMENT  IS   ERECTED   BY  THEIR 

SURVIVING  COMRADES 

In  the  words  of  the  late  Colonel,  Larned  "this 
memorial  was  not  built  by  a  grateful  country, 
but  by  voluntary  offerings  from  the  hard-won  pay 
of  comrades  in  the  field  within  hearing  of  the  roar 


c 

I 

I 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  67 

of  battle,  and  in  sight  of  the  dead  whose  memory 
it  preserves.  ...  It  is  but  right  to  add  that  the 
designer,  Stanford  White,  and  the  sculptor,  Fred- 
erick MacMonnies,  have  given  a  generous  and 
enthusiastic  labor  to  the  work,  far  beyond  the 
money  recompense  received,  and  in  the  true  spirit 
of  the  artist  and  patriotic  citizen." 

Toward  the  east  is  an  equestrian  bronze  statue 
of  the  Father  of  our  Country,  seated  upon  his 
charger  and  with  hand  raised  toward  the  Academy 
buildings  as  if  in  benediction  of  the  institution 
that  he  labored  so  hard  to  establish.  In  these 
days  of  materialism,  it  is  interesting  to  note  that 
this  magnificent  gift  was  recently  made  to  the 
Academy  by  someone  who  refused  to  disclose 
his  name.  The  base  of  the  pedestal  bears  the 
simple  inscription  "Presented  by  a  Patriotic 
Citizen." 

The  hotel,  just  in  the  rear  of  the  Washington 
Monument,  was  built  in  1829,  and  with  the  ex- 
ception of  a  wing  that  was  added  in  1850,  it  has 
remained  practically  unchanged.  It  is  not  dif- 
ficult to  imagine,  therefore,  that  its  appointments 
fail  to  satisfy  the  luxurious  tastes  of  present-day 
Americans,  so  that  many  complaints  are  heard, 
and  not  a  few  jokes  passed  at  its  expense.  One 
humorist  remarked  that  Washington  was  raising 
his  hand  not  in  benediction  of  the  Academy,  but 
in  a  warning  to  the  guests  to  keep  away  from  the 
hotel. 

From  the  hotel,  a  steep  little  graveled  path  en- 


68  West  Point 

tices  the  visitor  into  a  most  enchanting  walk 
that  skirts  the  steep  precipice  along  the  river. 
For  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  Flirtation  Walk  pur- 
sues its  way  with  its  windings  and  abrupt  turn- 
ings, its  ascents  and  descents,  past  the  site  of 
the  old  chain  Battery,  and  farther  on  past  old 
Lantern  Battery  on  Gee's  Point,  past  the  Bachelor 
Officers'  quarters,  until  at  the  base  of  Cullum  Hall 
it  ends  in  Kosciusko's  Garden.  The  latter  is  a 
cool  little  sheltered  plateau,  said  to  have  been  a 
favorite  of  the  Pole.  When  the  trees  are  in  bloom, 
to  stroll  along  the  Walk  is  to  feel  the  delicacy  of 
nature,  to  behold  the  quintessence  of  her  refine- 
ment. The  foliage  seems  like  maiden-hair  fern 
through  which  charming  little  vistas  of  the  river 
and  the  opposite  bank  are  framed.  On  summer 
days  it  is  a  favorite  for  the  cadets  and  their  girls, 
who  wander  along  its  graveled  path  whiling  away 
the  time,  or  who  seek  out  the  choice  nooks  and 
screen  themselves  from  profane  eyes  with  a  gaily 
colored  parasol. 

Near  the  end  of  Flirtation  Walk  alongside  of 
old  Battery  Knox,  a  Revolutionary  relic,  stands 
the  Bachelor  Officers'  quarters.  This  building  of 
brick  and  limestone,  serves  to  tie  the  new  buildings 
with  the  classic  Cullum  Memorial  Hall  and  the 
Officers'  Mess.  Its  color  is  darker  than  the  pink 
granite  of  Cullum  Hall,  to  approach  more  closely 
the  dark  brown  of  the  Library  and  the  gray  of  the 
Academic,  while  its  flat  buttresses  harmonize  with 
the  straight  lines  of  Memorial  Hall. 


"  Spooning  »  on  Flirtation  Walk      Photo  White  Studio 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  69 

In  this  building  there  are  forty  suites  of  three 
rooms  and  a  bath  each,  besides  rooms  in  the  base- 
ment for  the  janitor  and  for  officers*  servants. 

Adjoining  the  Bachelor  Officers'  quarters  is  the 
beautiful  Cullum  Memorial  Hall,  built  of  Milford 
pink  marble  and  resembling  somewhat  in  style,  the 
Erechtheum,  on  the  Acropolis  at  Athens.  Just 
under  the  cornice  and  above  the  four  Ionic  columns 
is  carved:  "To  the  Officers  and  Graduates  of  the 
Military  Academy. "  To  the  left  of  the  main  hall 
is  a  small  assembly  room,  whose  walls  contain 
bronze  tablets  to  graduates  who  have  been  killed 
in  action.  The  flags  are  guidons,  carried  by  our 
Cavalry,  both  regular  and  volunteer,  during  our 
wars,  chiefly  during  the  Spanish  War. 

In  the  lower  halls  are  tablets  to  Superintendents 
and  to  the  deceased  Professors  of  the  Academy, 
besides  fitting  bronze  memorial  shields,  recounting 
the  battles  of  the  Civil  War  in  which  graduates  of 
the  Academy  participated. 

Bronze  trophy  cannon  are  freely  used  in  the 
adornment  of  the  walls,  both  in  the  lower  hall  and 
in  the  hall  on  the  second  floor.  They  are  chiefly 
Mexican  and  Confederate  trophies,  but  a  few 
were  captured  from  the  British  at  Stony  Point 
(south  of  West  Point)  in  July,  1779. 

Among  the  most  interesting  perhaps  of  the 
cannon  are  the  two  large  bronze  ones  in  front  of 
the  main  entrance.  Both  were  made  at  Douay, 
France,  in  1755,  under  the  supervision  of  J. 
Beranger,  royal  commissioner  of  foundaries.  The 


70  West  Point 

one  on  the  right  (as  one  enters  the  building)  is 
inscribed  "Le  F&cheux,"  and  the  one  on  the  left 
"Le  Conquerant."  Both  were  taken  from  the 
Punta  Blanca  Battery  in  the  harbor  of  Santiago 
de  Cuba.  These  cannon  are  almost  the  exact 
duplicate  of  the  five  cannon  at  the  United  States 
Naval  Academy,  Annapolis,  Md.,  and  very  simi- 
lar to  two  cannon  at  the  Virginia  Military  Insti- 
tute, Lexington,  Va.  The  latter  guns,  cast  about 
eighty  years  before  the  others,  are  part  of  several 
cannon  purchased  from  France  by  Virginia  in 
1778  for  use  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  It  is 
surprising  that  the  Spanish  should  have  been  using 
them  in  Cuba,  since  the  Spaniards  manufactured 
guns  of  equally  high  quality. 

The  four  inverted  bronze  mortars  that  surmount 
the  corners  of  the  piazza  were  made,  two  at 
Sevilla  and  two  at  Barcelona,  in  Spain,  and  were 
surrendered  by  the  Mexicans  to  the  American 
forces,  April  22,  1847.  These  mortars  were  known 
as  stone  mortars,  and  they  were  employed  in  siege 
operations  to  precipitate  large  masses  of  stone 
upon  the  heads  of  the  enemy  in  the  advanced 
trenches,  or  in  like  manner  to  clear  the  trench  of  its 
defenders  preparatory  to  an  assault. 

The  second  floor  is  called  Thayer  Hall,  a  large, 
beautifully  proportioned  room  used  for  public 
functions,  officers'  and  cadets'  dances.  At  one  end 
there  is  a  small  stage  and  a  few  scenic  fixtures. 
In  this  hall  are  the  portraits  of  graduates  who  have 
not  only  gained  the  rank  of  general  officer,  but  have 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  71 

commanded  in  time  of  war  units  commensurate 
with  their  rank. 

The  building  south  of  Memorial  Hall  is  the 
Officers'  Mess,  where  the  bachelor  officers  obtain 
their  meals.  The  building  was  constructed  and 
partially  furnished  from  Government  funds,  but 
it  is  kept  up  and  managed  by  personal  funds  of 
officers  on  duty  at  West  Point.  In  design  it 
conforms  closely  to  Cullum  Hall,  although  plainer 
and  more  modest.  It  was  so  built  as  to  be  incon- 
spicuous and  not  detract  from  the  classic  beauty 
of  its  stately  neighbor. 

The  interior  of  the  Mess  is  quite  beautiful, 
especially  the  main  dining-hall  and  reading-room, 
whose  principal  features  are  mantels  ornamented 
with  small  replicas  of  the  figures  of  Day  and  Night, 
Morning  and  Evening,  that  adorn  the  tomb  of  the 
Medicis  in  Florence.  Both  Cullum  Hall  and  the 
Mess  were  designed  by  the  late  Stanford  White  and 
completed,  the  former  in  1899  and  the  latter  in 
1903.  The  Mess  is  an  organized  body  incorpor- 
ated under  the  laws  of  the  State  of  New  York  as 
the  West  Point  Army  Mess.  It  was  started  in  1841 
by  General  McClellan.  There  is  no  Mess  in  our 
Army  that  has  had  a  continued  existence  for  so 
long  a  term  as  this  Mess,  and  I  have  heard  it 
stated  that  few  English  or  continental  Messes  are 
as  old  in  the  above  sense. 

The  trip  around  the  buildings  brings  us  to  the 
Library  for  which  we  all  entertain  a  genuine 
affection.  The  quiet  and  repose  of  its  fine  rooms 


72  West  Point 

have  an  attraction  for  both  officers  and  cadets 
that  no  other  building  offers,  so  that  it  is  usually 
filled  with  lovers  of  books,  especially  on  winter 
afternoons.  Cadets,  officers,  enlisted  men,  women, 
and  children  frequent  the  various  rooms  when- 
ever an  opportunity  presents  itself.  There  is  no 
greater  pleasure,  I  believe,  at  West  Point  than 
to  draw  a  big  leather  armchair  over  in  one  corner 
of  the  library  and  there  forget  the  world  in  a  good 
book. 

Like  so  many  of  the  buildings  at  West  Point 
it  was  built  of  native  granite,  and  in  the  Gothic 
style  of  architecture.  The  present  building  was 
erected  in  1841  on  the  site  of  the  old  gun  shed  and 
cost  approximately  $50,000.  It  was,  however, 
entirely  remodeled  in  1900-1901.  The  Library 
was  originally  designed  by  a  board  of  Army 
officers  and  the  style  of  architecture  determined 
upon  was  used  seven  years  later  in  the  present 
South  Cadet  Barracks.  The  dominant  note  that 
these  two  buildings  gave  to  the  character  of  the 
structures  at  West  Point,  determined  the  style  of 
architecture  in  the  comprehensive  rebuilding  of  the 
Academy  that  began  in  1904. 

The  library  proper  was  founded  in  1812,  and 
with  the  years  has  grown  until  at  the  present  time 
it  contains  99,148  books.  I  am  informed  that  the 
100,000  mark  will  be  celebrated  by  the  purchase  of 
a  memorable  volume.  The  Library  may  be  said 
to  be  the  oldest  inhabitant  of  the  neighborhood, 
for  all  its  former  associates,  the  old  Riding  Hall, 


Realization  of  an  Architect's  Dream  73 

the  Cavalry  Barracks,  and  the  old  Cadet  Chapel 
are  gone. 

The  latter  building,  however,  has  not  perma- 
nently disappeared.  Sentiment  against  its  demoli- 
tion was  so  strong  that  an  appropriation  was 
obtained  to  remove  it  to  the  cemetery  to  be 
used  as  a  mortuary  chapel.  Consequently  in  1911 
it  was  taken  down,  each  stone  marked,  and  so 
carefully  reconstructed  that  it  is  impossible  to 
detect  the  slightest  change  in  its  appearance. 
The  tablets,  and  the  painting  of  "Peace  and  War" 
by  the  late  Professor  Weir  have  been  preserved, 
but  the  British  flags  have  been  removed  to  the 
Ordnance  Museum. 

The  cemetery  is  a  beautiful,  peaceful  spot  set 
aside  for  the  repose  of  West  Point's  dead.  In  the 
northeast  angle  is  the  cadet  monument  erected  in 
1818,  to  Cadet  Vincent  M.  Lowe  of  New  York, 
by  his  fellow-cadets.  On  New  Year's  day,  1817, 
Cadet  Lowe  was  killed  by  the  premature  discharge 
of  a  cannon  while  he  was  firing  a  salute.  The  ped- 
estal is  covered  with  the  names  of  other  cadets 
who  died  later  on.  Among  the  illustrious  dead 
buried  in  the  cemetery  are  Major  Sylvanus  Thayer, 
General  Winfield  Scott,  Robert  Anderson,  and 
George  A.  Custer. 

Along  the  main  roads  both  north  and  south  of 
the  Plain  are  modest  dwellings  furnished  for  the 
officers  on  duty  at  West  Point.  The  south  end 
terminates  in  a  broad  plain  used  for  the  Cavalry 
and  Field  Artillery  drill  of  the  cadets. 


74  West  Point 

In  order  that  thorough  instruction  in  both  of 
these  arms  may  be  imparted  to  the  cadets,  detach- 
ments of  Cavalry  and  Field  Artillery  are  stationed 
at  the  Academy.  Their  barracks  and  stables 
form  part  of  the  new  buildings,  and  are  fine 
examples  of  what  intelligence  and  taste  can  do  for 
comfort  and  convenience.  Along  the  west  side  of 
the  drill  field  are  the  stables  and,  directly  above, 
gracefully  placed  on  the  hillside,  are  the  barracks 
provided  with  the  best  and  most  modern  equip- 
ment. The  presence  of  these  two  detachments  of 
enlisted  men,  as  well  as  that  of  the  detachment  of 
Engineers,  is  absolutely  essential  to  the  efficient 
instruction  of  the  cadets. 

An  understanding  of  the  uses  of  the  buildings 
and  some  description  of  the  prominent  landmarks 
is  necessary  to  a  correct  appreciation  of  the 
cadet's  life  and  activities.  The  survey  that  I 
have  given  in  this  chapter  will  show  that  West 
Point  is  indeed  fortunate  in  many  ways.  Few 
places  have  been  so  endowed  by  Nature  with  such 
wonderful  beauty  and  picturesqueness,  and,  in 
addition,  a  generous  Congress  has  adorned  the 
place  with  magnificent  buildings  equipped  with 
the  finest  that  money  can  buy  for  the  training  of 
the  future  United  States  officers. 


CHAPTER  IV 

THE   POWERS   THAT   BE 

IN  a  spacious  room  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the 
massive  Post  Headquarters  building  dwells 
officially  the  man  who  orders  all  of  the  comings  and 
goings  of  the  residents  of  West  Point:  cadets, 
officers,  and  enlisted  men  and  their  families.  He  is 
detailed  by  the  President  to  the  immediate  govern- 
ment and  military  command  of  the  Academy  and 
Post  of  West  Point  for  a  period  of  four  years,  and 
given  the  official  title  of  Superintendent  of  the 
Military  Academy,  which  carries  with  it  the  rank, 
pay,  and  allowances  of  a  colonel. 

The  duties  of  the  office  are  varied  and  complex. 
The  Superintendent  is  directly  responsible  for  the 
actual  state  of  the  discipline,  instruction,  police 
administration,  fiscal  affairs,  and  other  concerns 
of  the  Academy.  The  necessary  work  is  organ- 
ized and  under  the  control  of  various  officers, 
his  assistants,  who  constitute  his  staff.  The  of- 
fice of  Superintendent  is  regarded  as  one  of 
the  most  desirable  and  most  honored  that  the 
Government  has  to  offer  to  an  officer  of  the 
Army,  and  justly  so,  for  the  position  carries 

75 


76  West  Point 

with  it  a  great  responsibility,  fascinating  work, 
large  powers,  and  enormous  prestige.  The  Presi- 
dent is  in  no  way  limited  in  his  selection  for  the 
office.  He  may  appoint  an  officer  of  any  rank 
whatsoever,  from  second  lieutenant  to  general 
officer,  but  the  policy  always  pursued  has  been 
to  intrust  the  important  duties  of  the  position  to 
an  officer  of  character,  ability,  and  experience. 
The  selection  of  the  Superintendents  of  the  Mili- 
tary Academy  was  confined  to  the  Corps  of  Engi- 
neers from  the  establishment  of  the  institution, 
March  16,  1802,  till  the  passage  of  the  law  of 
July  13,  1866,  which  opened  it  to  the  entire  Army. 
It  is  not  an  easy  task  to  find  just  the  man  with 
all  of  the  necessary  requirements  for  this  office. 
In  addition  to  the  officer's  military  ability,  grasp 
of  affairs,  and  experience,  it  is  desirable  that  his 
scholarly  attainments  be  of  a  distinctly  high  order, 
for,  since  he  is  ex-officio  the  President  of  the 
Academic  Board,  he  will  find  occasion  to  use  his 
scholarship  for  the  permanent  benefit  of  the  cur- 
riculum. 

In  general,  the  military  demands  upon  the  aver- 
age officer's  time  preclude  the  pursuit,  on  his 
part,  of  cultural  and  academic  studies  to  any  great 
degree,  so  that,  while  an  officer  may  be  of  the 
highest  moral  character,  have  great  experience, 
and  on  the  whole  make  an  admirable  adminis- 
trative chief,  yet  he  might  lack  scholarship,  which 
deficiency  would  lessen  his  value  to  the  Academy 
as  Superintendent. 


The  Powers  that  Be  77 

Besides,  the  Superintendent  should  be  a  good 
judge  of  human  nature,  and  in  particular  of  young 
men.  To  be  able  to  throw  oneself  back  in  mem- 
ory to  the  age  of  twenty,  re-grasp  the  fresh  and 
immature  viewpoint  of  youth,  and  then  make  the 
proper  allowances  for  youth's  inability  to  see  life 
as  a  whole,  is  a  gift  not  given  to  many  men.  Some 
of  us  could  do  it  if  we  would  exert  our  minds,  but 
many  are  incapable.  Where  sympathy  and  under- 
standing of  young  men  are  lacking  on  the  part  of 
the  commanding  officer  there  is  too  often  a  ten- 
dency to  judge  a  cadet  by  the  standard  held  by  his 
superiors  which  they  have  gained  only  through 
years  of  experience.  Moreover,  a  broad  man 
in  command  dissipates  with  a  word  all  of  the 
trivialities  of  military  life  that  seem  big  for 
the  moment,  and  relieves  his  subordinates  of  the 
haunting  fear  of  an  excess  of  participation  in  their 
affairs. 

During  the  one  hundred  and  fifteen  years  of 
its  existence  West  Point  has  had  but  twenty-six 
Superintendents,  each  of  whom  has  left  a  perma- 
nent influence  for  good  at  the  Academy.  The 
present  incumbent,  appointed  in  June,  1916, 
is  Colonel  John  Biddle,  Corps  of  Engineers,  a 
graduate  of  West  Point,  Class  of  1881. 

The  military  staff  of  the  Superintendent  consists 
of  the  Adjutant,  the  Quartermaster,  the  Treasurer, 
and  the  Surgeon,  all  officers  of  the  Army  detailed 
to  perform  the  duties  of  their  respective  offices. 

The  Adjutant  is  the  Superintendent's  right-hand 


78  West  Point 

man.  He  is  in  fact  his  chief  spokesman  and 
representative  in  all  official  and  social  matters. 
He  is,  moreover,  charged  with  all  of  the  records 
and  papers  of  the  Academy  except  those  relating 
to  disbursements.  Ordinarily,  this  officer  is  the 
personal  choice  of  the  Superintendent,  for  it  is 
essential  that  perfect  trust  and  harmony  exist 
between  these  officers.  It  may  be  of  interest  to 
the  layman  to  know  that  an  Army  Post  is  very 
much  like  a  large  family,  or  perhaps  a  patri- 
archal tribe  would  better  describe  the  relations  of 
the  residents.  The  Superintendent  is  the  head, 
and  the  Adjutant  his  executive  officer. 

In  the  olden  days  when  troops  were  stationed 
on  isolated  frontier  posts,  the  officers'  families 
were  entirely  thrown  upon  one  another  for  society. 
Although  the  necessity  for  these  posts  has  long 
since  disappeared,  Congress  has  never  authorized 
their  abandonment,  because  their  presence  near 
some  city  or  small  town  means  a  financial  benefit 
to  the  towns  people.  The  influence  of  the  Repre- 
sentative of  that  district  is  sufficient  to  retain  it, 
and  consequently,  as  of  yore,  officers'  families  must 
live  together  as  one  tribe. 

This  condition  does  not  exist  to  the  same  extent 
at  West  Point  as  at  other  posts.  The  Adjutant 
is  the  peacemaker,  diplomat,  aide,  buffer  for  the 
Superintendent  in  his  administration  of  military 
and  social  duties.  As  may  be  imagined,  he  must 
be  a  man  of  great  tact,  good  judgment,  and 
possessed  of  Machiavelian  diplomacy.  He  is  al- 


^  s 

<u     " 
'O       „ 


The  Powers  that  Be  79 

ways  being  called  upon  to  make  decisions,  and 
since  every  decision  affects  somebody  adversely,  he 
has  great  need  of  a  feeling  for  humanity.  His 
official  decision  is  tantamount  to  that  of  the  Su- 
perintendent in  whose  name  he  is  always  supposed 
to  act. 

All  official  letters  to  the  Superintendent,  or 
between  officers,  must  pass  over  the  Adjutant's 
desk,  so  that  in  a  sense  he  is  the  central  operator, 
making  connections  of  the  invisible  ties  for  the 
time  being,  between  the  various  departments  and 
persons  on  the  Post.  He  also  acts  as  a  shield  to 
the  Superintendent,  saving  him  from  the  annoy- 
ance of  the  minor  routine  details. 

In  addition,  he  is  regarded  as  the  hub  of  the 
Post's  social  wheel.  He  initiates  the  public 
entertainments  and  authorizes  the  general  social 
events  of  the  officers  and  cadets.  Naturally,  he 
has  nothing  to  do  with  functions  of  a  private  char- 
acter, but  for  hops,  dances,  or  other  forms  of  dis- 
traction where  one  of  the  public  buildings  is  used, 
he  gives  the  authorization  of  the  Superintendent. 
He  makes  it  his  duty  to  mingle  freely  with  the 
officers  of  the  command ;  at  the  dances  he  sees  that 
visitors  are  introduced;  when  very  distinguished 
guests  arrive  at  the  Post,  he  puts  on  his  full-dress 
uniform  and  goes  to  the  station  to  meet  them.  If 
the  guests  are  merely  distinguished,  he  details 
some  officer  to  act  in  his  stead,  and  if  they  are  plain 
sightseers  with  letters  of  introduction,  a  young 
subaltern  gets  the  job.  He  is  Adjutant  of  the 


8o  West  Point 

Military  Academy  and  of  the  Post  of  West  Point. 
The  duties  of  the  former  office  pertain  solely  to 
cadets,  their  discipline  and  instruction,  whereas 
the  duties  of  the  latter  concern  the  officers,  enlisted 
men,  and  other  residents  of  the  Post. 

A  sort  of  Damon  and  Pythias  are  the  Adjutant 
and  Quartermaster:  a  mention  of  one  suggests 
the  other.  The  Quartermaster  is  in  charge  of  the 
public  lands  and  buildings;  of  the  material  for  the 
erection  of  buildings,  and  for  the  repairs  and  im- 
provements, and  for  all  other  public  property  for 
which  no  other  person  is  especially  responsible. 
Under  the  direction  of  the  Superintendent,  he 
enters  into  contracts  and  makes  purchases  for  the 
Academy  and  prepares  all  accounts,  returns,  and 
rolls  relative  to  the  public  property  under  his 
charge.  He  is  also  in  control  of  the  workmen 
employed  in  the  erection  or  repairs  of  the  public 
buildings,  or  in  the  improvement  of  the  grounds. 

A  Quartermaster  is  in  reality  a  supply  officer. 
Everything  necessary  for  the  up-keep  of  the  Post 
and  the  command,  come  from  his  storehouses. 
Clothes,  trucks,  wagons,  frying-pans,  rakes,  road- 
rollers,  twine,  furniture,  garden  hose  are  a  few  of 
the  diverse  articles  that  he  must  keep  on  hand. 
In  his  work  at  West  Point  he  is  assisted  by  several 
officers,  among  whom  he  distributes  the  various 
duties  pertaining  to  the  care  of  the  property,  pur- 
chase of  supplies,  pay  of  officers  and  enlisted  men. 
The  supply  of  the  cadets,  however,  is  not  under 
his  jurisdiction. 


Colonel  John  Biddle,  Corps  of  Engineers 
Superintendent 


The  Powers  that  Be  81 

The  Quartermaster's  office  is  not  entirely  free 
from  the  official  cumbersome  machinery  and  red 
tape  that  clogs  all  Government  branches.  So 
efficiently  does  it  check  up  upon  all  of  its  property, 
even  to  the  most  minute  screw,  that  it  has  inspired 
great  respect  for  its  routine  into  those  who  borrow 
from  its  storehouse.  Some  years  ago,  one  of 
the  officers'  wives  discovered  the  chimney  of  her 
house  on  fire.  As  she  lived  near  the  Hospital 
her  first  thought  was  to  borrow  one  of  the  fire  ex- 
tinguishers. She  rushed  to  the  telephone: 

"Hello!  Hello!  send  over  right  away  a  fire 
extinguisher  to  Lieut.  K's  quarters!" 

"I'm  sorry,  madam,"  replied  the  attendant,  "I 
have  no  authority  to  let  the  fire  extinguisher  leave 
the  Hospital." 

"But  my  house  is  on  fire! "  shrieked  the  angered 
lady!  "What  shall  I  do?" 

"You  had  better  telephone  the  Quartermaster, 
madam,  and  get  his  permission,  for  the  Hospital 
holds  the  fire  extinguisher  on  memorandum 
receipt." 

All  matters  that  relate  to  the  clothing,  equip- 
ment, and  subsistence  of  the  cadets,  including  the 
purveying  and  supervision  of  the  Cadet  Mess,  are 
under  an  officer  of  the  Army  detailed  as  Quarter- 
master and  Commissary  for  the  Corps  of  Cadets  and 
Treasurer  of  the  United  States  Military  Academy. 

The  Government  allows  each  cadet  $600  per  year 
and  one  ration  per  day,  or  commutation  thereof, 
40  cents  per  day,  making  a  total  of  $746.00,  but  the 


82  West  Point 

cadet  never  receives  in  cash  nor  manages,  his  pay. 
The  amount  due  him  is  turned  over  to  the  Treasurer, 
who  keeps  an  account  with  each  cadet  in  which 
he  credits  him  with  his  monthly  pay  and  charges 
him  with  the  cost  of  his  maintenance  on  a  pro-rata 
basis  plus  what  he  has  spent  for  clothing  and  sup- 
plies. The  Treasurer  furnishes  each  cadet  an 
itemized  statement  of  his  account  at  the  close  of 
each  settlement  period  so  that  he  knows  just  how 
much  money  he  has  saved,  or  owes.  The  pay  pro- 
vided is  ample.  Cadets  who  are  economical  and 
take  good  care  of  their  clothes,  who  lose  no  govern- 
ment property  for  which  they  are  responsible,  are 
able  to  accumulate  a  nice  balance  that  is  paid  to 
them  upon  graduation. 

In  order,  however,  to  insure  that  all  cadets  shall 
leave  the  Academy  without  debts,  and  with  their 
initial  equipment  paid  for,  the  Treasurer  deposits 
fourteen  dollars  per  month  from  the  pay  of  each 
cadet.  This  fund  is  known  as  the  Equipment 
Fund  and  totals  $704  during  the  four  years.  Be- 
fore graduation  each  cadet  is  required  to  submit 
a  certificate  to  the  effect,  if  such  be  the  case,  that 
all  articles  of  an  officer's  uniform  ordered  and 
received  by  him  have  been  paid  for;  that,  in  case 
the  complete  outfit  has  not  been  received  and  paid 
for,  he  has  in  his  possession  $475  or  that  amount 
less  whatever  has  been  paid  out  for  this  purpose, 
which  sum  will  be  held  and  applied  promptly  to  the 
payment  of  such  articles  of  his  uniform  and  equip- 
ment as  have  not  yet  been  received  and  paid  for; 


The  Powers  that  Be  83 

and  that  he  has  no  unpaid  debts  contracted  during 
the  time  he  has  been  a  cadet. 

This  provision  is  a  very  wise  and  beneficial  one 
to  the  cadet,  for  he  enters  the  Service  free  from 
the  terrifying  load  of  debt.  Formerly  the  Equip- 
ment Fund  was  turned  over  to  the  graduating 
cadet,  without  any  restrictions  whatsoever.  The 
consequence  was  that  the  largest  part  of  it  was 
spent  in  New  York  a  few  days  after  graduation, 
and  the  young  officer  was  in  debt  for  his  uniform 
for  many  months  thereafter.  He  started  his 
career  with  a  millstone  around  his  neck,  to  which 
weight  a  few  added  that  of  a  wife.  As  one  experi- 
enced officer  remarked,  "The  ladies  are  all  right, 
but  do  not  marry  until  you  are  out  of  debt,  else 
every  time  you  take  a  drink  in  the  Club,  you  will 
feel  as  if  you  are  swallowing  the  baby's  socks. " 

One  of  the  most  important  and  difficult  duties 
of  the  Treasurer  is  catering  to  eight  hundred 
ravenous  young  appetites.  To  be  a  successful 
Mess  officer  for  this  large  number  requires  much 
study,  especially  in  this  age  of  the  high  cost  of 
supplies.  The  food  provided  is  excellent  in  qual- 
ity and  well  prepared.  In  general  it  is  plain  and 
wholesome,  just  what  one  would  expect  at  a 
Military  School,  but  the  menu  is  sufficiently 
varied  so  as  to  please  even  the  fastidious.  South- 
ern palates  are  not  forced  to  long  for  fried  chicken 
nor  Eastern  palates  for  oysters.  To  make  the 
New  Englander  feel  quite  at  home  periodic  boiled 
dinners  gladden  their  gastronomic  lives.  Then, 


84  West  Point 

too,  ice-cream,  since  the  installation  of  an  electric 
freezer,  has  become  as  common  as  the  proteids. 

The  monthly  cost  of  the  mess  per  cadet  is  about 
twenty  dollars.  The  Treasurer  charges  against 
the  cadet  not  only  the  cost  of  his  board,  but  also 
his  laundry,  his  uniforms,  his  clothing,  his  room 
equipment,  mattress,  pillows,  sheets,  towels,  and 
all  other  necessary  articles.  Moreover,  the  sal- 
aries of  the  policemen  who  clean  the  halls  of  the 
barracks,  the  bootblacks,  the  cost  of  the  cadet 
hops,  athletics,  and  text-books,  in  fact,  the  cadet's 
entire  maintenance  is  charged  against  his  pay. 
The  Government,  however,  provides  for  the  up- 
keep of  the  buildings,  the  heating,  lighting,  and 
repairs,  from  separate  appropriations. 

The  fourth  member  of  the  military  staff  is  the 
Surgeon,  who  with  his  four  assistants,  medical 
officers  of  the  Army,  watch  over  the  health  of  the 
command.  Under  his  charge  is  the  hospital  for 
cadets,  and  that  for  enlisted  men. 

The  Surgeon  has  authority  to  excuse  an  officer 
or  cadet  from  any  duty  whatsoever  on  account  of 
illness.  In  the  eyes  of  the  cadets  he  stands  as  the 
guardian  of  the  Gates  of  Paradise.  When  the 
body  is  fatigued,  or  one's  head  is  choked  up  and 
eyes  running  from  a  bad  cold,  illnesses  that  in 
reality  do  not  incapacitate  one  for  duty,  to  have  a 
nice  sympathetic  Dr.  St.  Peter  jingle  his  keys  and 
take  you  into  the  hospital  for  a  brief  rest  is  like  the 
first  whiff  of  a  jasmine  scented  spring.  The  cadets 
soon  learn  to  estimate  the  sympathetic  qualities 


The  Powers  that  Be  85 

of  a  new  Surgeon,  and  quickly  pass  around  the 
word  whether  there  has  commenced  the  reign  of  an 
adamantine  or  tender  ^Esculapius. 

The  officers  and  cadets  are  required  to  undergo 
an  annual  physical  examination,  of  which  accurate 
records  are  kept.  In  case  of  illness,  the  nature  is 
noted  on  special  cards  and  filed  with  his  record 
in  Washington.  The  health,  therefore,  of  officers, 
cadets,  and  enlisted  men  is  constantly  under  the 
Surgeon's  eyes,  so  that  really  serious  illnesses  are 
rare.  In  case  of  persistent  or  long  illness,  the  offi- 
cer or  cadet  may  be  granted  a  sick  leave  upon  the 
Surgeon's  recommendation. 

The  conduct  of  the  business  methods  and  mili- 
tary departments  of  the  Military  Academy,  by  the 
Superintendent  and  his  staff,  is  annually  inspected 
by  the  Inspector-General  of  the  Army,  who  comes 
on  from  Washington  for  the  purpose,  or  by  officers 
recommended  by  him  acting  under  specific  instruc- 
tions from  the  War  Department.  In  addition  to  the 
above  inspection,  a  Board  of  Visitors  annually  visits 
the  institution.  Formerly,  the  President  appointed 
to  this  Board  distinguished  citizens  from  all  parts 
of  the  country,  who  arrived  at  West  Point  the  first 
of  June  and  remained  until  graduation,  about  ten 
days  later.  They  were  shown  the  workings  of  the 
school,  and  had  explained  to  them  the  necessities 
for  changes  and  improvements,  whereupon  they 
made  to  the  President  a  written  report  containing 
comments  and  recommendations  that  seemed  de- 
sirable. The  Board  performed  its  duties  well,  but 


86  West  Point 

Congress  thought  that  all  information,  upon  which 
appropriations  are  based,  should  be  more  direct. 
A  law  was  passed  therefore  decreeing  that : 

The  Board  of  Visitors  to  the  United  States  Military 
Academy  shall  consist  of  five  members  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Military  Affairs  of  the  Senate,  and  seven 
members  of  the  Committee  on  Military  Affairs  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  to  be  appointed  by  the 
respective  chairmen  thereof,  who  shall  annually 
visit  the  said  Military  Academy,  together  or  separ- 
ately as  the  said  committee  may  elect,  during  the 
session  of  Congress ;  ...  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Board  of  Visitors  to  inquire  into  the  actual  state  of 
the  discipline,  instruction,  police  administration,  fiscal 
affairs,  and  other  concerns  of  the  Academy 

With  the  passing  of  the  visits  in  June  of  the 
former  Board,  some  of  the  picturesqueness  and 
flavor  of  the  social  life  of  June  week  has  gone.  At 
this  season  of  the  year  the  beautiful  natural 
scenery  of  West  Point  formed  a  superb  setting  for 
the  thrilling  artillery  drills,  the  cavalry  charges,  the 
infantry  manoeuvres,  the  bridge  building,  the  con- 
certs, the  dances  arranged  in  their  honor.  The 
cadets  were  at  their  best  for  they  had  just  com- 
pleted their  spring  training  and  there  were  no 
recruits  in  ranks  to  spoil  the  smoothness  and  pre- 
cision of  these  manoeuvres.  It  therefore  seemed 
the  best  time  for  an  Inspection  Board  to  view 
and  report  upon  the  work. 

Accompanying    the    Board    of    Visitors    were 


The  Powers  that  Be  87 

always  the  wives  and  daughters  of  the  members, 
who  added  to  the  social  charm  of  the  Board's 
visit.  The  cadets  privately  referred  to  the  young 
ladies  attached  to  the  Board  as  "splinters."  I 
remember,  upon  entrance,  hearing  one  cadet 
ask  another  if  he  would  "drag  a  splinter"  for  him. 
I  later  found  out  that  this  expression  meant  that 
he  would  be  pleased  if  his  comrade  would  escort 
one  of  the  young  ladies  to  a  dance.  The  present 
Board  usually  pays  its  visit  in  mid- winter  when 
the  cadets  are  busiest  with  their  studies,  so  that 
the  equally  charming  Congressional  "splinters" 
have  little  chance  to  win  young  hearts. 

In  the  work  of  the  institution  the  Superintendent 
is  aided  by  a  large  number  of  subordinates.  The 
number  of  officers  and  others  in  prominent  posi- 
tions on  duty  at  the  Academy  is  shown  in  the 
following  list : 

Superintendent  and  staff 5 

Professors,  permanent v •_•••"  7 

Professors,  by  detail  from  Army 4 

Professors,  Associate,  detailed 2 

Professors,  Assistant,  detailed 12 

Commandant  of  Cadets  and  Tactical  officers ....  15 
Master  of  the  Sword,  Instructor  of  Military  Gym- 
nastics and  Physical  Culture I 

Instructors  and  other  officers 68 

Medical  Corps ^. 4 

Dental  Surgeons 2 

Medical  Corps,  Instructors  in  Military  Hygiene 

(August  28  to  October  10) 4 


88  West  Point 

Chaplain I 

Librarian I 

Civilian  Instructors  of  Languages 3 

Civilian    Instructors    of   Fencing   and    Military 

Gymnastics 3 

Teacher  of  Music i 

Organist  and  Choirmaster i 

Pay  Clerk i 


Total 135 

The  majority  of  the  officers  are  detailed  from 
the  Army-at-large  for  varying  periods  of  time,  but 
seven  of  the  professors  are  permanent.  The  Super- 
intendent, the  heads  of  all  Departments  of  In- 
struction, including  the  detailed  heads,  compose 
the  Academic  Board,  which  controls  the  program 
and  methods  of  instruction.  It  is  non-military 
in  character,  its  duties  pertaining  almost  solely  to 
the  various  branches  of  learning.  More  especially, 
its  duties  are  to  examine  cadets,  decide  upon  their 
merits  and  proficiency,  grant  diplomas,  and  recom- 
mend for  commission  in  the  Army.  It  reports, 
through  the  Superintendent,  to  the  War  Depart- 
ment, on  the  course  of  studies  and  methods  of 
instruction.  It  also  recommends  the  text-books 
to  be  used  by  the  cadets  in  each  department. 
Each  member  has  one  vote,  including  the  Super- 
intendent. 

The  work  of  the  Board  is  largely  done  by  com- 
mittees, both  General  Committees  and  Class 
Committees.  The  latter  are  composed  of  the 


The  Powers  that  Be  89 

heads  of  those  departments  whose  studies  any  one 
class  are  pursuing. 

At  the  close  of  every  examination  the  Academic 
Board  reports  to  the  War  Department  the  names 
of  all  cadets  who  are  deficient  in  studies  or  conduct 
and  who  are  recommended  by  the  Board  for  dis- 
charge or  transfer  to  a  lower  class. 

The  seven  professors  permanently  attached 
to  the  Academy  are:  the  Professor  of  Civil  and 
Military  Engineering,  Natural  and  Experimental 
Philosophy,  Chemistry  and  Electricity,  Modern 
Languages,  Mathematics,  Drawing,  and  English 
and  History.  These  members  are  appointed  by 
the  President  and  usually  selected  from  officers  of 
the  Army,  graduates  of  the  Academy,  who  have 
specialized  along  the  lines  of  their  department. 
The  President  usually  appoints  an  officer  recom- 
mended by  the  other  members  of  the  Board,  but  he 
is  not  restricted  in  his  choice  and  may  select  whom 
he  pleases  for  the  position.  All  of  the  permanent 
Professors  at  present  are  graduates  except  the 
Professor  of  English  and  History  who  is  a  graduate 
of  Yale.  When  the  Department  of  English  was 
created  in  1910,  it  was  felt  that  the  head  of  it 
should  be  a  man  who  had  specialized  in  English 
Literature. 

Without  reflecting  on  the  graduates  of  the 
Academy,  no  one  officer  appeared  upon  the  horizon 
with  the  requisite  qualifications,  a  fact  not  to  be 
wondered  at,  for  few  officers  are  ever  in  a  position 
to  pursue  English  courses  that  would  equip  them 


90  West  Point 

for  this  position.  Upon  the  creation  of  the 
Department  of  English,  History  was  transferred  to 
this  Department  from  the  Department  of  Law 
with  which  it  had  long  been  associated. 

In  addition  to  the  permanent  members  of  the 
Board,  the  detailed  ones  are  the  Surgeon,  who 
as  the  head  of  the  Department  of  Hygiene,  is  en- 
titled to  a  seat ;  the  Professor  of  Practical  Military 
Engineering,  the  Professor  of  Law,  the  Professor 
of  Ordnance  and  Gunnery,  and  the  Commandant 
of  Cadets,  all  four  of  whom  are  detailed  by  the 
Secretary  of  War  from  the  officers  of  the  Army 
for  a  period  of  four  years. 

In  the  Department  of  Mathematics  and  Modern 
Languages  the  Professor  has  an  associate  professor 
and  an  assistant  professor  whose  duty  is  to  assist 
in  the  administrative  work  as  well  as  the  instruc- 
tion. The  other  departments  have  only  assistant 
professors,  officers  detailed  from  the  Army  who 
might  be  said  to  act  as  an  Adjutant  for  the  Pro- 
fessor. In  common  with  the  remaining  officers, 
they  perform  administrative  routine  duties,  reliev- 
ing the  Professor  of  the  necessity  of  attending  to 
minor  questions.  The  Professor's  time  is  very 
much  occupied  in  the  solution  of  problems  that 
affect  the  Academy  as  a  whole,  in  addition  to  the 
development  of  their  respective  courses,  so  that  it 
is  essential  that  his  time  be  not  employed  with  the 
unavoidable  trivialities  that  arise  in  the  conduct 
of  his  Department. 

The  great  mass  of  officers  on  duty  at  the  Acad- 


The  Powers  that  Be  91 

emy  are,  of  course,  the  instructors.  These  men 
are  all  officers  of  the  Army,  graduates  of  the 
Academy,  who  are  detailed  for  duty  in  the  various 
departments.  Formerly,  the  tour  of  duty  was  for 
four  years,  but  since  the  passage  of  a  law  by 
Congress,  the  Detached  Service  Law,  familiarly 
called  the  "Manchu  Law,"  the  time  that  an 
instructor  can  remain  on  duty  at  West  Point,  is 
dependent  upon  the  amount  of  duty  that  he  has 
had  with  troops  during  the  preceding  six  years. 
No  officer  can  remain  on  detached  service,  such  as 
that  at  West  Point,  for  more  than  four  years. 

It  is  apparent,  therefore,  that  the  corps  of 
instructors  is  constantly  changing,  resulting  in  the 
introduction  into  the  work  of  new  blood  and  fresh 
viewpoints.  This  changing  of  instructors  main- 
tains a  high  standard  of  enthusiasm  for  teaching, 
so  often  lacking  in  institutions  of  learning  where  a 
subordinate  teacher  goes  over,  year  in  and  year 
out,  the  same  ground. 

Moreover,  the  system  of  officer  instructors  is 
employed  on  account  of  the  disciplinary  value  of 
their  presence  over  the  cadets.  West  Point  is 
first  and  foremost  a  Military  Academy,  and  it  is  of 
primary  importance  that  the  cadets  shall  absorb 
by  example  the  spirit  of  discipline,  and  military 
deportment.  Not  the  least  of  the  advantages  of 
having  officers  teach  cadets  is  the  contact  that 
their  presence  maintains  between  West  Point 
and  the  Army. 

Officers  are  selected  for  duty  at  the  Academy 


92  West  Point 

by  the  Heads  of  Departments  who  make  every 
effort  to  secure  men  especially  qualified  for  the 
work.  For  example,  the  instructors  in  the  Depart- 
ment of  Engineering  are  all  Engineer  officers;  in 
Ordnance  and  Gunnery,  mostly  Ordnance  officers ; 
in  Chemistry  and  Electricity,  usually  Coast 
Artillery  officers;  in  Mathematics,  officers  of  the 
staff  and  line  who  excelled  in  this  study  as  cadets  ; 
in  English  and  History,  line  officers  with  recog- 
nized literary  tendencies;  in  Languages,  officers 
whose  advantages  have  enabled  them  to  acquire 
a  good  speaking  knowledge  of  either  French  or 
Spanish.  Until  the  outbreak  of  the  European 
War,  officers  on  duty  in  the  Department  of  Lan- 
guages were  ordered  to  spend  the  summer  in  study 
in  either  France  or  Spain.  They  thereby  were 
able  to  perfect  their  knowledge  to  an  extent  that 
rendered  them  most  efficient  instructors.  De- 
tailed to  this  Department  are  two  native  Spaniards 
and  two  Frenchmen,  whose  services  are  employed 
to  carry  along  the  instruction  of  the  officer  in- 
structors as  well  as  that  of  the  cadets,  so  that 
every  opportunity  is  offered  to  the  cadet  to  pro- 
gress as  far  as  his  ability  will  permit  him  in  the 
time  allotted  these  studies. 

The  time  of  the  officer  is  well  employed  while 
on  duty  at  the  Academy.  In  those  departments 
whose  period  of  recitation  is  an  hour  and  a  half, 
he  has  two  sections  daily,  but  if  the  period  is  one 
hour,  he  instructs  three  sections.  He  averages, 
therefore,  from  fifteen  to  eighteen  hours  of  actual 


The  Powers  that  Be  93 

teaching  per  week.  To  this  amount  must  be  added 
the  conferences  of  the  instructors,  conducted  either 
by  the  Professor  or  one  of  his  assistants.  These 
conferences  are  held,  usually  daily,  and  vary  from 
one  to  two  hours  and  cover  the  material  in  the 
lesson  or  in  advance  work.  By  means  of  these 
conferences,  the  Professor  is  able  to  standardize 
the  teaching  without  restricting  the  personality  or 
individuality  of  his  officers. 

The  routine  work,  that  is,  the  keeping  of  records, 
weekly  reports,  the  correcting  of  exercises,  problems, 
and  compositions,  all  demand  a  greater  or  less 
amount  of  time,  and  then  what  is  most  important, 
the  instructor  must  spend  many  hours  in  prepara- 
tion. I  have  known  many  instructors  to  work 
every  night  until  midnight  after  the  routine  work 
of  the  day. 

In  the  demand  upon  an  officer's  time,  consider- 
ation is  given  the  fact  that  with  him  teaching  is  an 
incident  in  his  career,  and  he  must  therefore  have 
at  his  disposal,  whether  he  uses  it  or  not,  at  least 
a  couple  of  hours  per  day  for  professional  work 
and  study.  When  absent  from  troops  an  officer 
becomes  more  or  less  rusty  upon  the  duties  of  his 
arm,  and  he  should,  consequently,  by  reading,  the 
solution  of  problems,  writing  or  what  not,  keep  up 
with  the  progress  made  in  his  branch  of  the 
Service. 

General  Orders  of  the  Army  prescribe  also  that 
at  least  one  hour  per  day  must  be  employed  in 
bodily  exercise,  riding,  walking,  tennis,  golf, 


94  West  Point 

swimming,  polo,  etc.,  and  the  officer  is  required  to 
submit  a  certificate  stating  that  he  has  taken  the 
prescribed  amount. 

I  give  in  somewhat  tedious  detail  the  employ- 
ment of  the  officer's  time,  because  so  frequently 
I  hear,  expressed  by  the  layman,  the  opinion  that 
officers  of  the  Army  have  practically  nothing  to 
do.  It  is  ordinarily  difficult  to  disabuse  their 
mind  of  this  idea,  chiefly  because  it  is  already 
made  up.  A  visitor  arrives  at  West  Point  to  spend 
the  day  and  seeing  a  few  officers  playing  golf  in 
the  morning  he  assumes  that  all  officers  have 
nothing  to  do.  He  perhaps  little  realizes  that  the 
same  golfers,  or  tennis  players,  are  trying  to  get 
their  exercise  at  a  time  that  will  not  interfere  with 
their  academic  duties  that  begin  for  each  depart- 
ment at  varying  hours.  That  same  officer,  who 
plays  a  game  of  golf  at  9:30  A.M.,  will  in  all 
probability  spend  a  part  of  the  forenoon  and 
afternoon  with  the  cadets,  and  all  evening  in  pre- 
paration. Appearances  are  often  very  deceptive. 
This  is  particularly  true  in  the  Army,  which  has 
been,  until  the  war  came  upon  us,  subject  to  more 
unjust  criticism  than  any  other  professional  body. 

In  order  to  facilitate  the  instruction,  the  cadets 
are  arranged  in  four  distinct  classes,  corresponding 
with  the  four  years  of  study.  The  cadets  in  the 
first  year's  course  constitute  the  Fourth  Class, 
those  in  the  second  year's  course,  the  Third 
Class,  those  in  the  third  year's  course  the  Second 
Class,  and  those  in  the  fourth  year's  course  the 


The  Powers  that  Be  95 

First  Class.  The  designation  of  senior,  junior, 
sophomore,  and  freshman  is  not  used  at  West 
Point  as  in  colleges  and  universities,  but  the  terms 
"  Yearling  "  and  "Plebe"  are  familiarly  applied  to 
cadets  of  the  third  and  fourth  classes  respectively. 
The  advancement  of  the  cadets  from  one  class  to 
another  is  based  upon  proficiency  in  their  studies, 
the  details  of  which  will  be  found  in  the  chapter 
on  "The  Discipline  of  the  Mind." 

In  order  to  distinguish  the  classes  one  from 
another,  the  device  of  putting  bands  of  braid  on 
the  sleeve  of  the  uniform  has  been  adopted.  These 
lengths  of  mohair  are  called  service  stripes  and  are 
issued  one  for  each  year  of  service,  so  that  the 
"  plebe"  sleeve  is  bare,  the  " yearling"  has  a  single 
stripe,  the  second  classmen,  two  stripes,  the  first 
classmen,  three  stripes.  This  insignia  is  of  black 
braid  for  all  gray  uniforms  except  the  full  dress 
coat,  on  which  gold  braid  is  used.  The  chevrons, 
although  primarily  a  designation  of  rank,  also  serve 
to  distinguish  some  members  of  the  classes.  The 
cadet  officers  and  the  sergeants  are  members  of  the 
First  Class  and  the  corporals  are  of  the  Second 
Class.  To  many  people,  chevrons,  or  insignia  or 
rank,  means  nothing.  Girls  especially  have  so  little 
idea  of  their  significance  that  they  readily  swallow 
anything  a  cadet  tells  them.  It  is  the  same  today 
as  of  yore.  I  was  at  a  hop  not  long  ago  when 
I  overheard  a  young  miss  say  to  her  cadet  escort, 
who  had  just  lost  his  chevrons,  been  "  busted "  as 
the  cadets  say: 


96  West  Point 

"Why  don't  you  wear  some  of  those  lovely  gold 
stripes  on  your  arm?" 

"Well — er — you  see,"  replied  the  'buck/  "why 
that's  a  sort  of  private  matter  with  me  now. " 

0  Temporal  0  Mores!  Tempora  Mutantur,  but 
not  at  West  Point. 

Until  1816,  the  cadets  had  no  regular  uniform, 
but  were  permitted  to  wear  pretty  much  what 
they  desired.  Poor  chaps,  I  scarcely  blame  them, 
because  from  the  records  it  appears  that  for  the 
large  part  of  the  time  they  were  in  rags.  In  win- 
ter especially,  they  hardly  had  enough  clothes  to 
keep  them  warm.  In  1814,  a  uniform  was  pre- 
scribed, but  little  attention  was  paid  to  the  pre- 
scribed dress,  everything  being  worn  according  to 
fancy  up  to  a  major-general's  uniform.  General 
R.  G.  Ramsey  (Cullum  Register,  Vol.  III.)  states 
that  "during  the  winters  of  1814  and  1815  cadets 
were  greatly  exposed  to  cold;  great  coats  had  not 
become  the  fashion  for  boys  and  such  comfort  was 
a  specialty.  My  wardrobe  had  been  carefully 
prepared,  but  the  inventory  did  not  include  the 
great  coat. "  This  is  the  first  mention  of  the  cadet 
overcoat. 

In  1816,  however,  an  order  from  the  Adjutant- 
General  changed  the  uniform  of  1814,  and  with 
few  modifications  made  from  time  to  time,  this 
uniform  is  worn  today.  The  gray  color  is  said  to 
have  been  adopted  out  of  compliment  to  General 
Scott  and  his  troops  who,  clothed  in  gray  (due  to 
the  inability  of  the  government  to  furnish  them 


The  Powers  that  Be  97 

with  blue),  had,  on  July  4,  1814,  won  a  victory 
over  the  British  at  Chippewa. 

Today  the  cadets  have  a  few  more  uniforms, 
but  the  general  appearance  and  the  pattern 
have  been  only  slightly  changed  since  1816.  The 
present  list  includes  a  full-dress  coat,  a  single- 
breasted  coat  of  blue  gray  cloth,  with  three  rows 
of  gilt  bell  buttons  in  front,  and  button-holes  of 
black  silk  cord  in  herring-bone  form  with  a  festoon 
turned  at  back  end.  The  standing  collar  hooks  in 
front  and  is  ornamented  with  a  blind  hole  of  cord 
formed  like  that  of  the  breast  with  a  button  on 
each  side.  The  coat  is  cut  off  in  front  just  below 
the  waist  line,  but  has  in  rear  a  skirt,  ornamented 
with  three  buttons  and  cord  holes.  The  full-dress 
coat  is  a  garment  of  rare  beauty  and  taste.  I 
have  never  seen  a  more  military  uniform,  one  that 
expresses  so  well  the  purpose  for  which  it  is  in- 
tended. It  accentuates  the  good  carriage  of  the 
cadets  and  at  the  same  time  clothes  him  with  an  air 
of  elegance.  It  seems  to  me  that  anyone  could  look 
smart  and  well  set-up  in  a  cadet  full-dress  coat. 
When  seen  in  full  dress  without  his  accoutrements, 
the  cadet,  with  his  slim  waist,  his  well-developed 
shoulders,  and  chest  proudly  displaying  those  shiny 
buttons,  and  the  little  tail  hanging  down  stiffly 
and  conservatively,  appears  for  all  the  world  like 
proud  young  cock-robin  going  a-courting  Jenny 
Wren.  The  full-dress  coat  is  worn  for  ceremo- 
nies, church,  official  receptions,  hops,  and  for  social 
calls,  dining  out,  and  entertainments. 

7 


98  West  Point 

For  habitual  wear,  a  dress  coat,  or  a  blouse  (as 
it  is  more  familiarly  called)  is  prescribed.  The 
garment  was  first  worn,  June  15,1 889.  It  is  of  the 
same  style  as  the  officers'  blouse,  being  of  gray 
cloth  and  bound  around  the  edges,  the  cuffs,  and 
up  the  seams  in  the  back  with  black  mohair  braid, 
having  a  collar  of  the  same  material,  of  height 
suited  to  the  wearer. 

The  trousers  are  of  gray  cloth  with  a  black  stripe 
up  the  side,  one  and  one-half  inch  wide.  In  sum- 
mer, white  is  worn,  either  full  white,  blouse, 
trousers,  and  cap,  or  a  combination  of  the  gray  coat 
and  the  white  trousers.  This  mixed  uniform  is  the 
most  effective,  especially  en  masse,  at  a  ceremony 
when  the  white  belt  and  cross  belts  are  worn. 

For  certain  drills  a  gray  flannel  shirt  is  issued, 
and  suitable  breeches  are  provided  for  riding.  The 
various  combinations  of  the  uniform  are  published 
in  a  table  and  designated  by  letter,  so  that  the 
cadet  consults  the  table  for,  we  will  say,  "Full 
Dress  A,"  where  he  finds  in  detail  all  articles  of 
uniform  to  be  worn  for  a  ceremony. 

The  uniform  is  admirable  in  color,  appearance, 
and  utility.  It  is  regrettable  that  the  gray  color 
is  not  used  in  the  Regular  Army  instead  of  the 
lifeless  ugly  olive  drab.  It  is  equally  as  invisible, 
more  attractive  in  appearance,  no  easier  soiled, 
and  easier  to  clean  when  soiled. 

The  only  article  of  cadet  uniform  that  seems 
out  of  harmony  with  the  rest,  is  the  cadet  cap. 
This  headgear  has  no  distinction  and  should  be 


The  Powers  that  Be  99 

abolished.  It  replaced,  some  years  ago,  a  forage 
cap  patterned  after  those  worn  in  the  Civil  War,  but 
I  do  not  think  that  the  change  was  any  improve- 
ment. The  visor  is  too  drooping,  and  the  crown, 
too  narrow  and  rigid,  is  clumsily  fashioned.  The 
majority  of  the  cadets  look  as  if  they  had  put  on 
by  mistake,  their  small  brother's  hat,  giving  them 
a  vaudeville  appearance,  in  some  cases  as  ludicrous 
as  Weber  and  Fields. 

The  day's  work  of  the  Powers  that  Be,  however, 
includes  so  many  more  important  things  than 
the  appearance  of  a  cadet  cap  that  the  style  of 
the  cap  passes  by  unnoticed.  The  great  aim  of  the 
Academy  is  to  mold  a  man's  character  and  train 
him  to  think.  The  Superintendent  must  con- 
stantly keep  his  finger  on  the  Academy's  pulse  to 
see  that  these  aims  are  being  successfully  carried 
out.  To  the  cadets  he  is  as  far  removed  from  their 
life  as  were  the  gods  of  Olympus  from  the  com- 
mon mortals.  Not  that  the  Superintendent 
wishes  it  so,  but  because  of  circumstances.  The 
big  problems  of  the  Academy  occupy  so  much  of 
his  time  that  he  comes  into  comparatively  little 
personal  contact  with  the  cadets.  Like  Henry 
IV.,  by  being  seldom  seen,  he  is,  when  he  appears, 
like  a  comet  wondered  at  by  them  who  tell  each 
other : 

"That  is  he,  the'Supt.'" 

To  be  summoned  before  his  presence  makes  a 
cadet  anticipate  the  feeling  when  he  will  appear 
before  the  final  bar  of  justice.  He  dons  his  full- 


ioo  West  Point 

dress  uniform,  pulls  on  a  pair  of  white  lisle  thread 
gloves,  puts  a  visiting  card  in  his  hat  band  to  have 
it  ready  for  Woods,  the  Superintendent's  mes- 
senger, and  sallies  forth,  his  heart  a-tremble  at  the 
thought  of  appearing  before  Olympus. 

He  quickly  reviews  his  past,  wondering  what  he 
has  done,  for  he  thinks  of  course  that  he  has 
unwittingly  committed  some  offense.  It  is  only 
when  he  finds  himself  standing  before  the  Superin- 
tendent's desk  saluting  and  saying: 

"Sir,  Cadet  Ducrot  reports  as  ordered,"  that 
he  realizes  that  he  is  in  the  presence  of  a  very 
human  person  like  himself. 

The  wonderful  prestige  that  the  Superintendent 
has  with  the  cadets  is  due,  not  so  much  to  his 
rank,  but  to  the  fact  that  he  too  was  once  a  cadet, 
and  passed  through  experiences  similar  to  their 
own.  They  appreciate  the  success  that  he  has 
made  in  their  chosen  profession,  and  his  example 
affords  inspiration  to  many,  for  they  argue  that 
once  upon  a  time,  long  ago,  he  too  was  a  new  cadet 
in  "Beast  Barracks." 


fsf 


CHAPTER  V 


"BEAST  BARRACKS" 


Blessed  are  the  meek  for  they  shall  inherit  the  earth. 

"VfOU  man,  there,  slouching  across  the  Area! 
What's  your  name?" 

The  person  addressed,  a  short  fat  chap,  looks 
up  over  his  big  round  tortoise-shell  glasses,  with 
unfeigned  interest,  but  stands  mute,  apparently 
fascinated  by  the  immaculate  white  trousers  and 
the  military  bearing  of  the  speaker. 

11  Do  you  hear  me  talking  to  you?  What's  your 
name?  Take  your  slimy  eyes  off  me  and  look  to 
the  front!"  sternly  commands  young  Mars,  com- 
ing a  few  steps  nearer.  The  new  arrival  looks 
blank  and  tries  to  digest  all  of  the  orders  at  once. 

"You  other  man  in  the  green  necktie,  come 
here!"  shouts  this  cadet  officer  as  he  catches  sight 
of  a  tall  lanky  civilian  in  a  Hart,  Schaffner,  Marx 
suit,  long  flat  tan  shoes,  and  a  flaming  green  neck- 
tie, who  has  just  sauntered  through  the  sally-port. 

"You  man,  there,  do  you  hear  me  talking  to 
you?  Step  out!" 

The  Green  Necktie   smilingly  approaches  the 

101 


ice  West  Point 

cadet  officer,  deposits  his  dress  suitcase  on  the 
ground,  and  mops  his  brow. 

"How  do  you  do?"  he  cordially  remarks,  "my 
name  is  Jinks. " 

The  cadet  officer  glares. 

"Your  name  is  Mr.  Jinks,  SIR,"  he  shouts. 
"Mr.  Jinks,  you  get  that!" 

"And  you  too,  Mr.  Dumbguard, "  turning  to 
the  chap  with  the  Harvard  spectacles,  "don't  you 
forget  to  put  a  Sir  on  the  end  of  your  name.  Who 
do  you  think  you  are  around  here?  Stand  up, 
both  of  you.  Turn  down  the  cuffs  on  your  trou- 
sers, button  up  your  coats,  take  off  all  of  those 
badges  and  scarfpins  and  stick  them  in  your 
pocket.  What  do  you  think  this  place  is?  a 
school  for  dudes?  Put  your  hats  on  straight!" 

Command  follows  command  with  machine-gun 
rapidity.  The  green  necktie  is  almost  smothered 
from  view  as  the  candidate  buttons  his  coat,  and 
reluctantly  the  cuffs  on  the  trousers  are  turned 
down. 

"  Pick  up  those  suitcases  and  follow  me. " 

"And  so  this  is  an  introduction  to  West  Point, " 
ruminates  the  Harvard  spectacles,  ' l  strikes  me  this 
chap  is  somewhat  brusque.  I  wonder  where  all 
the  other  fellows  are!" 

Meanwhile  over  in  front  of  the  Administration 
Building  is  a  large  group  of  candidates  just  report- 
ing. Some  are  laughing  and  joking,  others  remain 
silent,  plunged  in  thought,  wondering  why  they 
feel  so  strangely.  About  the  same  impression  fills 


"Beast  Barracks"  103 

each  one's  mind.  Underneath  those  parti-colored 
striped  shirts  each  heart  is  thumping  just  a  little 
faster  than  usual.  The  delay  in  reporting  seems 
interminable.  With  thoughts  of  all  sorts  racing 
through  their  heads,  they  await  their  reception, 
or  their  "breaking  in"  with  fearful  interest. 

Some  few  have  been  to  West  Point  before,  but 
the  large  majority  have  never  been  so  fortunate. 
They  know  it  only  by  Cadet  Days,  General  King's 
entertaining  book  of  cadet  life,  or  by  The  Spirit  of 
Old  West  Point,  General  Morris  Schaff's  charming 
reminiscent  book  of  life  in  the  Corps,  about  the 
time  of  the  Civil  War,  or  by  romantic  stories 
gathered  here  and  there. 

No  words  that  I  know  of  seem  as  magical  as 
"West  Point."  To  the  candidate  it  conjures 
a  vision  of  all  that  he  hopes  to  be.  The  honor  of 
being  a  cadet,  the  privilege  of  wearing  the  uniform, 
the  immense  possibilities  of  physical  and  mental 
achievement,  the  soul-satisfying  fear  of  an  ambi- 
tion about  to  be  realized,  the  glamour  of  military 
life,  and,  it  must  be  admitted,  a  secret  feeling  of 
righteous  superiority  over  his  boy  friends  at  home, 
—all  these  thoughts  crowd  his  imagination  so  that 
for  once  he  sees  frozen  the  vague  ideal  that  he 
always  has  had  of  himself. 

I  am  sure  that  Gawain's  first  impressions  of 
King  Arthur's  court  were  dim  in  comparison  with 
the  dazzling  visions  of  West  Point  that  fill  the 
candidate's  mind.  For  months,  in  some  cases 
for  years,  he  has  striven  for  an  appointment.  All 


104  West  Point 

of  his  interests  and  hopes  have  been  centered  upon 
becoming  a  cadet.  He  has  read  all  the  literature 
about  the  place,  he  has  gone  to  sleep  many  a  night 
living  over  in  imagination  his  career.  At  last 
the  day  comes  when  he  sets  forth  on  the  road  of  his 
great  ambition.  He  can  hardly  believe  that  he 
is  actually  on  the  way  to  West  Point!  What 
enchanting  pictures  crowd  his  imagination  and 
beguile  the  journey!  In  his  mind's  eye  he  is 
arriving;  he  sees  himself  in  uniform,  he  wonders 
how  he  will  like  the  life :  one  moment  he  is  troubled 
by  the  probability  of  failure,  the  next,  he  spans 
the  years  in  thought  and  is  back  home  again  on 
furlough,  and  he  thrills  with  pride  and  pleasure 
at  the  prospect  of  greeting  his  old  comrades 
after  an  absence  of  two  years.  How  delightful  it 
is  to  build  castles  in  Spain!  His  imagination 
runs  on  and  on ;  he  promises  himself  to  study  hard, 
he  wants  his  family  to  be  proud  of  his  record;  he 
hopes  to  be  a  cadet  officer.  In  his  reverie  he 
graduates  and  joins  the  Army,  his  ambition 
realized.  All  a- tingle  with  excitement  he  eagerly 
awaits  the  arrival  at  West  Point. 

When,  however,  the  great  gray  buildings  loom 
up  as  the  day-line  boat  approaches  the  wharf,  his 
buoyancy  begins  to  ebb,  his  exhilaration  cools 
under  a  mental  Texas  Norther,  and  the  joy  of 
anticipation  so  recently  experienced  receives  a  chill 
that  causes  him  to  gaze  around  uneasily  and  for- 
lornly. He  feels  a  little  sad  and  melancholy. 
Thoughts  of  home  sweep  over  him. 


t 

c 


"Beast  Barracks 


105 


There  is,  however,  about  certain  fellow  passen- 
gers, lean  lank  youths  like  himself,  something 
responsive,  something  about  their  hats,  something 
about  the  unnatural  droop  of  the  shoulders,  the 
new  suitcases,  the  same  fearful  look  that  draws 
him  to  their  side.  ''Are  you  a  candidate,  too?" 
he  asks  hopefully.  An  answer  is  unnecessary. 
Instinct  again  has  won,  and  the  flood-gates  of 
friendship  are  unreservedly  opened  to  the  newly 
made  companion  about  to  enter  the  Land  of 
Egypt  and  the  House  of  Bondage.  We  are 
timid  creatures  all  of  us,  and  even  the  strongest 
suffer  a  twinge  of  timidity,  a  queer  feeling  in  the 
seat  of  compassion,  when  about  to  penetrate  the 
mystery  surrounding  an  unknown  life.  At  such  a 
moment  we  all  want  to  be  little  children,  to  have 
someone  take  us  under  shelter.  We  would  like 
to  run  away  from  ugly,  grim  Reality  that  relent- 
lessly blocks  our  way  and  with  whom  we  must 
battle  before  we  can  go  forward. 

A  sort  of  vague  terror  pervades  the  candidate  as 
he  climbs  the  hill  from  the  station  to  the  Adju- 
tant 's  office  where  he  must  report,  but  he  grasps 
his  suitcase  and  sets  forth  for  the  Headquarters 
Building  where  his  directions  tell  him  to  report 
upon  his  arrival.  If  he  is  ahead  of  time  he  goes  to 
the  hotel  where  he  finds  a  great  many  candidates, 
some  of  whom  have  been  at  the  Point  several  days 
trying  to  absorb  some  impressions  before  reporting. 
Here  friends  are  quickly  made.  On  the  day  that 
they  are  all  ordered  to  report,  when  they  feel 


io6  West  Point 

that  they  are  about  to  bid  farewell  to  their  civilian 
freedom,  they  reluctantly  set  out  for  Head- 
quarters. Unwilling  though  they  may  be  to  re- 
port, few  ever  in  after  life  regret  having  entered 
the  Academy. 

The  Rubicon  once  passed,  however,  no  time  is 
lost  in  the  administrative  routine  of  receiving  the 
raw  material.  After  reporting  to  the  Adjutant, 
the  new  cadet  is  turned  over  to  an  orderly  who 
directs  him  to  the  office  of  the  Treasurer.  No 
general  officer  in  full  uniform,  one  month  later, 
could  create  in  the  candidate's  mind  the  same 
impression  of  the  finished  military  product  as  does 
this  first  sight  of  a  simple  soldat  at  the  Treas- 
urer's. The  new  cadet  is  directed  to  deposit  all 
the  money  that  he  has  in  his  possession.  Each 
new  cadet  is  supposed  to  deposit  one  hundred  and 
sixty  dollars  upon  entrance  to  cover  an  initial  cost 
of  equipment,  which  amount  is  credited  to  the 
cadet's  account,  together  with  any  surplus  change 
that  he  has  at  the  time  of  admission.  Although 
the  Regulations  require  this  initial  deposit  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty  dollars,  the  requirement 
is  not  absolutely  obligatory,  so  that  if  any  boy 
receives  an  appointment  he  should  not  be  deterred 
from  accepting  on  account  of  the  financial  stipu- 
lation. He  should  come  at  all  events.  The 
first  equipment  will  be  issued,  and  with  economy 
he  can  later  on  wipe  out  the  debt.  If  a  boy's 
parents  are  poor,  it  would  be  foolish  for  them  to 
make  a  great  effort  to  raise  this  money.  Let  the 


"  Beast  Barracks  "  107 

boy  come  and  assume  the  responsibility  of  the 
debt,  and  let  the  onus  of  it  rest  upon  his  more 
youthful  shoulders  which  will  very  soon  broaden  to 
bear  it.  One  by  one  the  men  pass  the  little  wicket 
window  of  the  Treasurer  and  deposit  all  their 
money.  Pockets  are  emptied  of  all  cash  and 
checks,  which  are  credited  to  the  cadet's  account. 
When  eight,  ten,  or  twelve  candidates  have  been 
admitted,  the  young  officer  present  forms  them 
into  a  pseudo  squad,  or  rather  group,  then  calls 
an  orderly  of  the  Regular  Army. 

"  Show  these  young  gentlemen  over  to  the  Area 
of  Barracks  to  the  office  of  the  Officer  in  Charge  of 
New  Cadets." 

The  orderly  comes  briskly  to  attention,  his 
smart  salute  captivating  the  assorted  collection 
of  " Prides  of  Congressional  Districts."  They 
promptly  follow  his  leadership,  out  of  the  postern 
gate  of  Headquarters,  across  the  road  to  the  Area 
of  Barracks,  reveling  in  the  clouds  of  glory  that, 
in  their  eyes,  he  trails  behind  him.  They  are  now 
quite  happy,  fully  launched  upon  their  military 
careers. 

The  feeling  of  elation  at  being  at  last  within  the 
sacred  halls  of  the  Academy  begins  to  intoxicate 
the  new  cadet,  when,  upon  the  way  over  to  the 
barracks,  he  notices  a  few  stray  passersby  stop, 
look  at  the  queer  squad,  and  then  smile  slowly, 
almost  insinuatingly,  as  if  amused.  It  is  an 
irritating  smile.  He  sees  the  orderly  smile  too. 
Something  has  surely  gone  wrong.  His  heart 


io8  West  Point 

goes  down,  down,  down,  and  he  soon  feels  as  if 
someone  had  thrown  about  him  a  cloak  of  lead. 
But  on  the  squad  goes.  He  tries  to  shake  off  his 
heavy  feeling,  but  it  is  no  use.  Many  days  elapse 
before  the  heavy  mantle  is  cast  aside.  He  is  sure 
that  something  dreadful  is  about  to  happen.  But 
stay,  what  is  all  this  disturbance  in  the  Area? 
Running  back  and  forth  between  a  sally-port  and  a 
barracks  are  a  lot  of  bareheaded  individuals,  some 
in  military  shirt  and  cit  trousers,  others  in  lovely 
pink  striped  shirts  and  gray  cadet  trousers.  They 
appear  very  uncomfortable.  Several  well  set-up 
young  cadets  are  at  their  heels  giving  them 
instructions  in  stern  tones. 

"  Say,  soldier,  who  are  those  men?"  inquires  one 
bold  candidate. 

"Those  men  are  your  new  classmates, "  explains 
the  orderly. 

Just  then  a  lieutenant  comes  forward;  the 
orderly  turns  over  his  charges  and  the  men  of 
the  squad  take  their  places  in  line  with  many  other 
candidates  who  are  awaiting  their  turn  to  report  to 
the  Officer  in  Charge.  No  sooner  have  they  placed 
their  grips  on  the  ground,  and  begun  to  take  life 
easy  while  waiting,  than  a  flock  of  yearling  cor- 
porals emerge  from  the  Guardhouse. 

"Stand  up  all  along  this  line!"  commands  one. 

"Hold  up  your  heads,  and  drag  in  your  chins, " 
shouts  another,  as  he  goes  down  the  line  giving 
each  new  cadet  a  little  personal  attention. 

"Mr.  Dumbguard,  put  that  hat  on  straight." 


-t-> 

I 


"Beast  Barracks"  109 

All  hats  are  at  once  adjusted.  The  whole  line 
assumes  an  extraordinary  appearance  of  rigidity. 
The  heat  becomes  more  intense.  Large  drops, 
globules  of  perspiration,  roll  off  the  crimson  faces 
whose  features  have  assumed  a  permanent  set, 
depicting  grief.  Slowly  the  line  advances.  More 
cadet  officers  appear,  giving  each  candidate  the 
number  of  his  room  in  barracks. 

"Mr.  Ducrot,  your  room  is  1223,  step  out  and 
find  it,  put  your  baggage  there  and  report  back 
here  immediately. " 

Mr.  Ducrot,  whose  intellect  has  become  some- 
what clouded  by  all  of  the  events  and  instructions 
that  he  has  received  in  the  last  ten  minutes, 
hurries  off  in  the  direction  of  the  twelfth  division. 

The  instruction  of  new  cadets  is  under  an  officer 
of  the  Tactical  Department.  In  his  work  he  has 
both  officer  and  cadet  assistants. 

In  order  that  the  cadets  themselves  might  have 
experience  in  breaking  in  new  men,  cadets  of  the 
First  (or  senior)  class  are  detailed  as  assistant 
instructors.  They  drill  the  new  cadets  in  the 
school  of  the  soldier  and  of  the  squad.  They  give 
him  individual  instruction  in  the  care  of  his  room, 
his  correspondence,  and  in  the  use  and  care  of  his 
equipment  and  his  personal  hygiene.  It  is  highly 
desirable  that  the  new  cadet  should  feel  the 
influence  of  the  older  cadet.  I  shall  never  forget 
my  first  impressions  of  my  cadet  instructors.  I 
thought  that  I  had  never  seen  such  immaculate 


i  io  West  Point 

human  beings  in  my  life.  With  their  straight 
backs,  their  lean  faces,  piercing  eyes  that  stared 
coldly  almost  contemptuously  at  me,  I  was  sure 
that  they  were  all  English  generals  imported  direct 
from  the  Boer  War.  I  didn't  know  that  white 
duck  trousers  could  be  so  white,  nor  brass  buckles 
so  shiny.  I  was  then  sure  that  I  had  an  incapacity 
for  milita^  life,  that  I  would  never  attain  such 
a  degree  of  excellence,  and  I  inwardly  withered 
before  their  glory. 

Meanwhile,  Mr.  Ducrot  and  his  fellow  candi- 
dates, having  found  their  rooms  in  barracks,  are 
approaching  the  Guardhouse  at  a  dead  run  upon 
the  insistence  of  a  cadet  corporal.  Once  again 
they  stand  in  front  of  their  instructors  who  glare 
at  them  like  Men  of  Wrath. 

"Fall  in, "  commands  the  fiercest  looking  one. 

A  shuffling  of  feet,  indefinite  movements  as  if 
to  do  something,  a  few  emphatic  remarks  by  a 
corporal,  and  a  semblance  of  a  line  is  formed. 
Two  Messrs.  Ducrot  ignore  the  suggestion  of  the 
Wrathful  One,  until  a  fresh-faced  lieutenant  almost 
pulls  them  into  line. 

The  squad  is  now  herded  over  to  the  Cadet  Store 
to  have  issued  the  initial  uniform,  consisting  of 
a  gray  shirt,  campaign  hat,  cap,  and  gray  flannel 
trousers. 

In  less  than  half  an  hour  a  complete  metamor- 
phosis takes  place.  The  heterogeneous  crowd  of 
candidates  that  entered  the  store  has  lost  the 


"Beast  Barracks"  in 

appearance  of  a  bargain  counter  on  sale  day.  By 
no  means,  however,  have  they  gained  a  military  as- 
pect :  all  that  can  be  said  is  that  they  are  harmoni- 
ously clothed.  It  takes  time  to  learn  to  wear  a 
uniform  properly,  and  nothing  is  funnier  than  a 
new  cadet  in  his  first  outfit.  These  garments 
have  been  made  up  in  stock  sizes  so  that  an  issue 
can  be  made  at  once.  The  fit  is  fairly  good, 
except  the  blouses.  A  plebe,  however,  soon 
appreciates  a  loose  blouse.  When  the  cadet  in- 
structors command: 

"Mr.  Dumbguard,  get  those  shoulders  back. 
More  yet!  More  yet!'*  a  number  of  wrinkles 
appear  in  the  back  of  the  blouse.  The  looser 
therefore  it  is,  the  less  effort  is  necessary  to  pro- 
duce many  wrinkles,  and  therefore,  the  task  of 
appeasing  the  Man  of  Wrath  easier. 

The  first  day's  work  goes  on  rapidly.  As  soon 
as  the  new  uniforms  are  donned,  once  again  to  the 
Cadet  Store  go  the  new  cadets  to  draw  their  room 
equipment. 

"New  cadets,  turn  out  promptly!"  command 
the  cadet  instructors  in  the  lower  hall  of  each 
division.  Down  the  iron  steps  hurriedly  come  run- 
ning the  novitiates,  and  line  up  in  the  Area.  At 
the  Cadet  Store,  each  man  is  issued  his  mattress, 
pillows,  and  bedding.  A  long  procession  of  young 
Atlases,  sweating  like  horses,  stagger  through  the 
sally-port,  bearing  aloft  everything  necessary  for 
sleeping,  except  the  bed.  A  few  zealous  ones  add 


112 


West  Point 


to  the  burden  a  bucket,  perhaps  a  dipper  rattling 
inside,  and  a  broom  that  sways  recklessly  on  the 
top  of  the  mattress.  Concealed  somewhere  in  the 
mass  is  a  bottle  of  indelible  ink  that  is  sure  to  drop 
before  the  room  is  reached.  Standing  in  the 
Area  are  a  few  of  the  Wrathful  tribe  ever  on  the 
alert  to  see  that  no  loitering  occurs. 

"Take  up  a  double  time,  Mr.  Ducrot,  step  out ! " 

Poor  Mr.  Ducrot,  this  time  about  five  feet  four 
inches  tall,  whose  view  has  been  obscured  by  the 
side  of  a  mattress,  attempts  to  be  more  of  a  hustler, 
stubs  his  toe,  and  down  come  pillows,  mattress, 
bucket,  and  all. 

"Well,  Mr.  Ducrot,  you  re  a  pretty  mess,  you  re 
about  the  grossest  plebe  I  ever  saw!"  consoles  one 
sarcastic  Arch-Fiend. 

"What  do  you  think  you're  trying  to  celebrate 
out  here,  Mr.  Dumbguard, "  cuts  in  another,  "do 
you  think  you're  going  to  take  a  nap?" 

The  senior  cadet  officer  comes  forward: 

"What's  the  trouble?"  he  inquires. 

Mr.  Ducrot  (after  remembering  to  raise  his  hand 
in  imitation  of  a  salute)  speaks  up  from  the  midst 
of  his  debacle: 

"I  was  .  .  ." 

"Sir!  Sir!"  commands  the  officer. 

"  Sir, "  recommences  Mr.  Ducrot,  "  I  was  coming 
through  the  sally-port  when " 

Further  details  of  this  domestic  tragedy  are  cut 
short  by  the  roll  of  a  drum. 

"Pick  up  that  stuff  and  get  ready  for  dinner." 


*  *  Beast  Barracks  "  113 

"  Step  out !     Step  out ! "  orders  the  cadet  officer. 

Dinner !  Dinner !  Beloved  dinner !  the  thought 
fills  Mr.  Ducrot  with  ecstasy.  Here  it  is  twelve- 
thirty  and  he  has  been  at  it  since  5 130.  It  seems 
three  years. 

At  dinner  formation,  "Mr.  Ducrot,  Mr.  Dumb- 
guard  and  Co."  learn  how  to  "brace,"  a  term 
used  to  denote  the  position  of  the  shoulders  well 
down  and  back,  with  the  head  erect  and  chin  in, 
hands  close  to  the  side.  The  companies  are 
marched,  after  a  fashion,  to  the  Mess  Hall.  The 
cadet  instructors  accompany  the  new  cadets  con- 
tinually commanding: 

"Mr.  Duflickit,  drag  in  that  chin!"  "Hold 
your  head  up,  No.  2,  ist  squad ! " 

Once  in  the  Mess  Hall,  the  new  cadet  is  allowed 
to  eat  all  he  wishes  without  interference.  At  the 
meal,  however,  he  must  comply  with  the  instruc- 
tions for  the  position  of  a  cadet  at  table  in  the  Mess 
Hall. 

This  position  shall  be  wholly  without  constraint. 
While  eating  the  body  shall  be  erect  on  the  hips,  in- 
clining slightly  forward,  elbows  off  the  table.  When 
not  eating  he  will  sit  at  ease  in  his  chair,  erect  or 
leaning  back  as  he  desires.  His  forearms  may  be  kept 
in  his  lap,  or  his  hand  or  hands  may  rest  easily  upon 
the  table.  At  no  time  in  the  Mess  Hall  shall  he  tilt 
his  chair  back  or  elevate  his  feet,  or  turn  his  chair 
away  from  the  table.  Whenever  a  cadet  is  spoken 
to  in  the  Mess  Hall,  he  will  look  at  the  person  speak- 
ing to  him. 

8 


ii4  West  Point 

But  who  cares,  this  first  meal,  about  the  position 
at  table?  Nothing  matters  except  to  satisfy 
that  ravenous  appetite! 

Dinner  over,  the  tragedy  of  the  afternoon  is  en- 
acted. West  Point  pays  no  attention  to  the  style 
of  hair  cutting  preferred  by  the  aspirant  for  mili- 
tary honors.  All  cadets  must  be  shorn  alike.  The 
new  cadets  are  consequently  marched  to  the  barber 
shop  wherefrom  a  long  line  of  shaggy  headed  plebes 
protrudes  like  some  serpent  caught  in  a  noose. 
What  a  sight  is  that  barber  shop!  Hair  every- 
where :  black  hair,  red  hair,  yellow  hair,  and  some 
that  resembles  sun-burnt  vanilla.  Thick  wavy 
locks,  the  despair  of  some  distant  damsel,  drop 
dejectedly  one  by  one.  The  hair  must  be  kept 
short  at  all  times  so  that  it  is  impossible  to  dis- 
tinguish at  West  Point  cadets  with  histrionic 
leanings,  or  those  poetically  and  musically  in- 
clined. 

No  rest  yet  in  sight,  this  busiest  of  days.  First 
the  rooms  must  be  arranged  strictly  according 
to  the  Regulations — a  place  for  everything  and 
everything  in  its  place.  Dozens  of  times  are  the 
belts  piled,  only  to  be  pulled  down  and  thrown  on 
the  floor  by  the  Wrathful  Tribe  detailed  to  see 
that  the  task  is  correctly  done.  The  bedding 
suffers  the  same  ignominious  treatment,  for  the 
slightest  irregularity  in  arrangement  is  met  with 
severe  punishment.  It  seems  hard  and  discour- 
aging, but,  later  on,  the  reason  for  such  strict 
compliance  with  orders  appears.  Only  by  con- 


" Beast  Barracks"  115 

stant  repetition  do  new  cadets  learn  to  do  a  thing 
thoroughly. 

Tired  out  in  body  and  brain,  Mr.  Ducrot  sits  on 
the  edge  of  his  bed  for  a  moment's  rest,  when: 

"New  cadets  turn  out  promptly!"  echoes 
through  the  hall  of  the  Division.  Not  a  moment 
is  lost  in  complying  with  this  command. 

He  rushes  down  the  stairs  in  a  bewildered  sort 
of  way  wondering  what  calamity  is  about  to  be- 
fall. 

"Hurry  up,  Mr.  Dumbguard,  what  do  you 
mean  by  coming  out  here  late?"  greets  his  appear- 
ance upon  the  stoop  of  the  barracks.  From  all 
the  divisions  new  cadets  are  scampering  to  their 
places  in  ranks  along  the  cement  walk. 

But  who  are  the  grave-looking  officials  in  blue 
uniforms?  The  question  is  not  long  unanswered. 
The  new  cadets  are  lined  up  along  three  sides  of  a 
square.  The  National  colors  and  the  Corps  colors 
are  brought  to  the  center.  The  Notary  Public,  in 
the  presence  of  the  Superintendent  and  his  staff, 
reads  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  assembled  new 
body,  who  with  right  hands  raised  toward  Heaven, 
swear  their  fealty  to  the  United  States.  The 
ceremony  is  simple,  but  to  the  plebe  tremendously 
impressive.  When  he  agrees  to  give  four  years' 
service  to  the  Government  after  graduation,  he 
feels  as  if  he  is  signing  away  his  life. 

There  is  no  cloud  without  its  silver  lining.  To 
Mr.  Ducrot 's  great  joy,  the  chief  Man  of  Wrath 
commands : 


n6 


West  Point 


'New  cadets  will  immediately  take  a  bath. " 

For  the  first  time  since  reporting  he  enjoys 
a  little  relaxation,  splashing  around  under  the 
showers,  where  occur  stolen  confidences  when  the 
instructors  are  busy  elsewhere.  A  refreshed 
feeling  creeps  over  Mr.  Ducrot  and  he  double  times 
back  to  his  room  to  await  the  inspection  of  his 
shoes  and  feet.  Pretty  soon,  in  pops  the  officer  in 
charge  with  tapes  and  foot  sticks  for  taking  the 
measure  of  shoes.  Alas,  no  pointed  toes  or  Eng- 
lish lasts  are  allowed: — all  cadets  must  wear  a 
sensible  military  shoe.  Regularly,  are  Mr.  Du- 
crot's  feet  inspected  during  his  first  few  weeks 
to  remedy  ill-fitting  shoes  and  prevent  cases  of 
soreness. 

Years  ago  in  the  days  of  hazing,  a  vastly  differ- 
ent sort  of  inspection  of  feet  occurred.  This 
was  an  unofficial  inspection  of  the  plebe's  feet  by 
upper-classmen.  In  the  middle  of  the  night  when 
the  tired  plebe  was  snoring  away,  dreaming  of 
being  late  to  a  formation  and  pursued  by  raging 
demons,  he  was  suddenly  awakened  by  a  hollow 
voice  in  his  tent,  commanding: 

"Inspec-shun!  Feet,"  the  "feet"  said  crisply 
and  emphatically. 

Without  delay  Mr.  Ducrot  sticks  his  bare  feet 
out  for  the  inspection  of  the  midnight  prowler. 
He  then,  by  order,  opens  his  toes  into  the  intervals 
of  which  the  gloating  upper-classman  poured 
melted  candle  grease,  thereby  ending  the  inspec- 
tion. 


I 


' 'Beast  Barracks"  117 

At  eight-thirty  in  the  evening,  Mr.  Ducrot, 
wearily  but  joyfully,  makes  down  his  bed  that  has 
remained  folded  all  day  long.  At  last,  he  is  to 
have  a  rest,  blessed  sleep  is  in  sight. 

At  nine  o'clock  the  orderly  in  front  of  the  Guard- 
house beats  three  taps  on  his  drum  and  simul- 
taneously the  cry: 

"Lights  out!"  echoes  through  the  halls  of  the 
divisions.  Immediately  the  barracks  are  plunged 
into  darkness  and  silence.  Only  the  tread  of  the 
cadet  officer  doing  his  half -hour  patrol  in  the  Area, 
disturbs  the  stillness  of  the  night. 

Mr.  Ducrot  sinks  back  upon  his  pillow,  dead 
tired,  almost  too  tired  to  sleep,  and  strives  to 
bring  a  little  order  out  of  the  chaos  of  his  mind. 
The  oft -repeated  names  Ducrot,  Dumbjohn, 
Dufiicket,  Dumbguard  float  through  his  head, 
indescribably  confused  with  mattresses,  pillows, 
stern  -  looking  cadet  officers,  vicious  yearling 
corporals,  rows  of  red-faced  plebes,  chins  drawn 
way  in,  and  the  perspiration  streaming  down 
their  faces.  The  events  of  the  day  are  hope- 
lessly jumbled  in  his  mind.  A  feeling  almost 
of  failure  creeps  over  him,  and  in  the  solitude 
of  the  night  a  yearning  for  his  home  seizes  him. 
All  through  his  breast  spasmodic  sharp  pains 
play  hide  and  seek.  The  great  loneliness  to 
which  men  are  prey,  fills  him  with  sadness 
and  melancholy  until  a  pleasing  drowsiness  drifts 
along  and  smothers  Mr.  Ducrot  into  uncon- 
sciousness. 


u8  West  Point 

This  period  of  training  of  the  new  cadet  is 
familiarly  called  "Beast  Barracks/'  It  lasts  for 
about  three  weeks,  at  the  end  of  which  these  new 
men  are  sent  to  camp  to  join  the  Battalions.  It  is 
necessary  to  segregate  them  for  at  least  this 
length  of  time :  otherwise  they  would  be  so  wooden 
that  they  would  be  sticking  their  front  rank  files 
in  the  head  with  a  bayonet. 

It  is  not  difficult  to  discern  the  origin  of  the  name 
"Beast  Barracks."  In  the  cadets'  mind,  their 
breaking  in  is  only  comparable  to  the  taming 
of  some  wild  animals.  The  training  is  undeniably 
severe  for  a  tenderfoot,  but  its  "beastly"  character 
is  an  imaginary  creation.  To  the  new  man,  how- 
ever, it  seems  awfully  real.  I  well  remember  my 
own  feelings.  When  I  was  standing  in  the  fierce 
sun,  "bracing"  in  ranks  along  the  cement  walk  of 
the  Area,  occasionally  a  white  dog  upon  the  hill 
opposite  would  come  lazily  snooping  around  the 
ash  cans:  I  envied  him  his  freedom.  It  seemed 
to  me  that  I  envied  everyone  except  my  classmates 
in  misery.  In  my  imagination  I  saw  in  flaming 
letters  above  every  door  I  entered:  "Abandon  all 
hope  ye  who  enter  here. " 

As  I  was  re-christened  Mr.  Ducrot,  I  began  to 
think  I  was  someone  else,  I  felt  as  if  I  must  have 
died  and  that  this  was  my  second  tour  on  earth,  a 
punishment  for  a  wicked  first  life. 

"There  must  be  some  way  of  getting  out  of 
this,"  I  reflected,  but  then,  I  thought  that  if  the 
officers  and  cadets  in  charge  of  me  had  gone 


"Beast  Barracks"  119 

through  with  this  training  I  could  also.  And  I 
did,— Alleluiah! 

It  was  a  long  time,  too,  before  I  found  out  how  all 
of  us  came  to  be  addressed  as  Mr.  Ducrot.  During 
the  academic  year  when  I  began  to  study  French 
I  made  his  acquaintance.  He  appeared  in  Keetel's 
French  Grammar,  in  the  exercises  of  which  the 
older  cadets  had  uncovered  a  mysterious  scandal 
concerning  his  private  life.  All  plebes  were  at  once 
required  to  relate  to  the  upper-classmen  the  follow- 
ing bit  of  gossip,  known  as  the  famous  Ducrot 
scandal.  I.  Monsieur  Ducrot  a  un  fils  et  une 
file.  2.  Madame  Ducrot  a  un  fils  et  deux  files. 
Scandal.  The  name  became  traditional  in  the 
Corps  and  was,  with  many  others,  applied  indis- 
criminately to  all  plebes. 

Early  the  next  morning,  Mr.  Ducrot,  whom  we 
left  sleeping,  attends  his  first  reveille.  Although 
the  drums  do  not  begin  to  play  until  five-twenty, 
he  steals  out  of  bed  long  before  and  conscientiously 
sweeps,  dusts,  shaves,  and  dresses,  for  fear  of  not 
being  on  time  for  the  formation.  Boom!  sounds 
the  morning  gun!  Down  the  iron  steps  all  the 
Mr.  Ducrot s  noisily  clatter,  bolt  out  to  the  cement 
walk  where  they  remain  rigidly  at  attention  for 
ten  minutes  until  the  cadet  officers  emerge  half 
awake  and  disagreeable.  Woe  unto  the  sleepy- 
headed  plebe  who  is  late!  As  he  peeks  his  head 
out  of  the  Division  door  a  couple  of  the  Wrathful 
meet  him  and  convoy  him  at  top  speed  to  his 
place  in  ranks.  I  was  once  late:  I  shall  never 


120  West  Point 

forget  the  experience.  When  my  i  l  Boer  War  Gen- 
erals" were  chasing  me  I  was  seized  with  the  same 
terror  that  a  child  has  in  dreaming  of  being  pur- 
sued by  a  burly  policeman  and  unable  to  run. 

At  5:50  the  cadet  instructors  make  a  cur- 
sory inspection  of  the  rooms  to  see  that  they  are 
in  order  before  breakfast.  Before  entering  they 
knock  sharply  on  the  door,  an  authoritative  knock, 
but  one  flavored  with  a  little  bravado.  Two 
immovable,  gray-clad  figures,  with  eyes  glassily 
fixed  on  the  wall  in  front  of  them,  chins  caressing 
their  Adam's  apple,  shoulders  way  back,  stand 
near  the  fireplace,  looking  for  all  the  world  like  a 
couple  of  spoiled  children  about  to  cry,  while  the 
inspector  rubs  his  white  gloves  over  the  tables  and 
chairs. 

Upon  the  second  day  commences  the  instruction 
of  the  new  cadet  in  the  elementary  drills. 

During  the  first  few  weeks  the  following  schedule 
is  carried  out : 

Infantry  Instruction         7:15-  745  a.  m. 

Physical  Exercises  8:15-  9:00  a.  m. 

Infantry  Instruction         9:30-10:15  a.  m. 

10:45-11:30  a.  m. 

3  :oo-  3  40  p.  m. 

4:15-  5:00  p.  m. 

Each  day  the  course  of  instruction  is  definitely 
prescribed  by  the  officer  in  charge.  At  the  first 
drill  the  new  cadets  are  taught  the  school  of  the 
soldier,  the  marchings,  haltings,  facings,  and 


"  Beast  Barracks  "  121 

saluting.  These  exercises  are  given  without 
rifles.  Usually  the  second  drill  is  given  under 
arms.  As  the  service  rifle  weighs  nine  pounds,  it 
is  desirable  to  accustom  gradually  these  young 
lads  to  its  weight.  To  one  unaccustomed  to  carry- 
ing a  rifle,  it  seems,  after  a  short  while,  to  bore  into 
your  shoulder.  Any  officer  who  has  ever  been  a 
cadet  will  never  require  an  enlisted  man  to  carry 
his  rifle  too  long,  until  fatigued.  His  own  experi- 
ence in  "Beast  Barracks"  remains  too  vivid. 

The  instruction  is  progressive,  so  that  the  cadets 
are  gradually  assembled  into  squads,  the  squads 
into  platoons,  the  platoons  into  companies. 
Naturally,  some  men  improve  faster  than  others. 
Those  whose  intellects  seem  befogged  by  the 
complexities  of  the  drills  are  formed  into  what  is 
known  as  the  "Awkward  Squad"  whence,  as  they 
progress,  they  are  transferred.  Last  year  one 
bright  cadet  instructor  thought  of  a  practical  joke 
to  inspire  the  new  cadets  to  do  their  very  best. 
It  seems  that  the  schedule  of  drills  included  a 
"sightseeing  tour"  around  the  Post,  in  order 
to  familiarize  the  new  cadets  with  their  surround- 
ings. The  plebes  were  told  that  only  the  most 
efficient  would  go  on  this  tour.  Consequently  great 
efforts  were  made  by  members  of  the  awkward 
squad  to  increase  their  military  efficiency.  As  the 
instructors  knew  and  the  plebes  later  discovered 
the  "sightseeing  trip"  was  anything  but  a  treat. 
It  was  made  on  a  broiling  hot  summer's  afternoon 
at  a  rapid  walk,  and  not  after  the  fashion  of  the 


122 


West  Point 


Metropolitan  rubberneck  wagons.  Objects  of  in- 
terest were  pointed  out  in  the  most  military  man- 
ner: I.  Eyes  Right;  2.  Hudson  River;  3.  Front, 
or,  I.  Eyes  Left;  2.  Battle  Monument;  3.  Front! 

Sandwiched  between  the  infantry  morning  drill 
are  the  physical  exercises.  This  name  will  make 
the  plebes  laugh,  for  all  drills  are  physical  exercises, 
but  I  intend  it  as  a  distinguishing  name  for  a  drill 
where  the  essence  of  exercise  is  dispensed.  This 
drill  is  now  given  in  the  Gymnasium  and  consists 
of  every  known  form  -of  setting-up  exercises  that 
can  be  devised.  For  forty-five  minutes  the  cadet 
executes  them,  both  at  halt  and  while  marching. 
He  is  given  frequent-  short  rests  of  half  a  minute 
or  a  minute,  after  every  different  exercise,  but 
nevertheless  it  seems  to  the  naturally  fatigued  new 
cadet,  as  if  every  muscle,  every  sinew,  and  every 
bone  was  being  relentlessly  punished. 

These  setting-up  exercises  are  a  potent  influence 
in  the  new  cadets*  physical  development,  and  when 
the  fresh  young  body  has  become  accustomed 
to  them,  they  act  as  a  tonic,  an  elixir.  To  a  visitor 
the  drill  is  always  interesting  as  it  is  rather  spec- 
tacular, due  to  the  numbers  acting  in  unison  and 
with  perfect  cadence. 

The  early  afternoon  is  devoted  to  the  nomencla- 
ture and  cleaning  of  the  rifle.  Scattered  in  groups 
in  the  shade  of  the  old  gymnasium  or  the  Cadet 
Store,  perspiring  plebes  take  their  rifles  apart 
and,  after  cleaning  them,  try  their  utmost  to  put 
them  together  again. 


"Beast  Barracks''  123 

Infantry  drills  fill  the  remainder  of  the  afternoon 
until  5 :  oo  p.  M.,  when  there  comes  a  chance  to  wash 
away  the  grime  before  retreat.  Immediately  after 
the  lowering  of  the  flag  each  afternoon  is  an 
inspection  in  ranks,  for  which  all  plebes  must 
be  carefully  groomed.  Each  man  must  appear 
with  immaculate  linen  and  with  his  blouse  and  cap, 
and  shoes  carefully  brushed.  Mr.  Ducrot  dreads 
the  inspection  more  than  any  other  duty.  Despite 
his  care  in  dressing,  the  inspectors  are  sure  to  espy 
a  tiny  wisp  from  the  clothes  brush  clinging  to  his 
cap  or  blouse,  whereupon  His  Highness  says: 

"What  do  you  mean  by  falling  into  ranks 
covered  with  straw?  "  Perhaps  Mr.  Ducrot  is  just 
seventeen  years  old  with  only  a  soupcon  of  hair  on 
his  face.  . 

"Why,  what's  this,"  inquires  a  sharp-eyed 
inspector.  "Mr.  Ducrot,  why  didn't  you  shave 
today?  I  see  three  hairs  sticking  out  of  your 
chin.  Drag  in  your  chin. " 

Mr.  Ducrot 's  sense  of  humor  overcomes  him 
even  in  his  miserable  state  of  mind  and  the  corners 
of  his  mouth  begin  to  twitch. 

"Wipe  that  smile  off  your  face!"  commands 
the  cadet  officer. 

Up  goes  the  hand:  the  offending  emotion  is 
erased. 

"Now,  Mr.  Ducrot,  throw  it  upon  the  ground 
and  stamp  upon  it.  Don't  you  ever  again 
smile  in  ranks."  Mr.  Ducrot  begins  to  feel  that 
the  Wrathful  Ones  are  quite  human  after  all  and 


124  West  Point 

he  feels  cheered  up  for  the  remainder  of  the  day. 
Up  and  down  the  line  walk  the  cadet  officers  in- 
specting and  "bracing'*  the  plebes,  commanding: 

"Get  your  shoulders  back!  More  yet!  More 
yet!" 

"  Hold  your  head  up ;  drag  in  your  chin ! " 

"Suck  up  your  stomach!  Lean  forward  on 
your  hips!"  and  so  on. 

For  three  weeks  the  new  cadets  are  put  through 
this  severe  course  of  instruction  before  they  are 
deemed  fit  to  be  put  in  the  ranks  of  the  older  cadets 
without  ruining  the  appearance  of  the  Battalions. 

It  is  astonishing  to  behold  the  progress  made  in 
elementary  training  in  this  short  period.  It  is 
true  that  the  days  are  crammed  full,  and  the 
instruction  is  of  the  most  intensive  kind,  but 
even  so  the  results  far  exceed  what  might  be 
expected  under  the  most  rigorous  of  systems. 

In  the  first  place,  the  men  lose  all  appearance  of 
slovenliness  and  begin  to  acquire  a  distinct  mili- 
tary bearing.  The  unevenness  of  gait  is  replaced  by 
a  measured  tread,  the  hanging  of  heads  and  droop- 
ing of  shoulders  gives  way  to  an  erect  smart 
carriage,  and  the  excessive  swinging  of  arms  dis- 
appears. The  group  of  very  crude-looking  in- 
dividuals of  the  first  few  days  has  been  changed 
into  a  harmonious  appearing  military  body. 
Little  by  little  the  new  men  have  begun  to  adjust 
themselves  to  their  uniforms. 

No  less  marked  is  the  change  of  the  mental 
attitude  of  the  new  cadet  at  the  end  of  "Beast 


"  Beast  Barracks  "  125 

Barracks."  All  sense  of  his  own  importance,  if 
he  ever  had  any,  has  oozed  away  rapidly.  Like 
Bob  Acres,  it  sneaked  out  of  the  ends  of  his  fingers 
the  first  few  days,  and  he  realizes  what  a  very 
small  fish  he  is  in  this  new  pond.  He  rapidly 
acquires  a  most  receptive  mood  in  which  he 
absorbs  the  most  important  lesson  that  a  soldier 
must  learn, — OBEDIENCE.  The  officers  and  cadets 
in  charge  of  him  demand  unhesitating  and 
instant  compliance  with  their  orders.  To  this 
end  the  new  cadets  are  made  to  execute  every 
order  at  a  run,  not  to  harass  them  as  they  some- 
times think,  but  to  form  the  habit  of  immediate 
obedience.  This  trait  is  the  foundation  of  disci- 
pline, toward  the  inculcation  of  which  in  the  new 
cadet,  an  excellent  beginning  is  made  in  "Beast 
Barracks." 

At  the  end  of  three  weeks  the  "Beasts"  are 
moved  from  Barracks  to  join  the  rest  of  the  Corps 
in  camp.  You  ought  to  see  them  move.  Carry- 
ing their  Lares  and  Penates  in  striped  laundry 
bags,  or  on  canvas  stretchers,  they  come  and  go 
all  morning  across  the  Plain  in  parallel  rows, 
resembling  for  all  the  world  a  colony  of  ants 
building  its  new  home.  Upon  arrival  in  camp, 
they  join  the  companies  to  which  they  have  been 
assigned,  and  from  the  state  of  "Beast"  they 
are  raised  to  the  dignity  of  a  plebe,  the  next  lowest 
grade  in  the  cadet  hierarchy. 

"Beast  Barracks"  is  over,  but  its  memory 
remains  fresher  than  any  other  at  West  Point. 


126  West  Point 

In  spite  of  the  new  and  more  interesting  train- 
ing of  camp  life,  Mr.  Ducrot  is  forever  haunted 
by  recollections  of  perspiration  and  indelible  ink. 


CHAPTER  VI 

BENDING   THE    TWIG 

ONLY  when  the  three  hundred  odd  new  cadets 
have  been  transferred  to  camp  and  joined 
the  Battalion,  do  they  begin  to  feel  that  they  are 
members  of  the  Corps.  They  are,  however,  ill- 
formed,  crude,  ungainly  members,  and  from  the 
moment  they  pass  the  hedge  that  screens  the 
camp  from  the  visitors'  seats,  the  Tactical  gar- 
deners begin  the  work  of  bending  these  natural 
twigs,  so  recently  transplanted  from  the  individual- 
istic soil  of  civilian  life  to  the  orthodox  ground  of 
military  training. 

Realizing  how  difficult  it  is  for  a  young  man  to 
adapt  himself  to  the  changed  conditions  that  he 
meets  at  West  Point,  the  authorities  require  the 
new  cadet  to  report  in  June,  just  as  the  academic 
year  has  closed,  in  order  that  he  may  receive  the 
benefit  of  the  summer-camp  training  before  taking 
up  his  studies.  The  physical  fatigue  that  the  new 
plebe  experiences  is  really  so  great,  that  he  would 
not  be  able  to  plunge  into  the  academic  course 
before  his  body  has  become  accustomed  to  the 
demands  made  upon  it.  The  aching  muscles,  the 

127 


128  West  Point 

drooping  eyes,  that  awful  heaviness  of  fatigue  must 
all  be  given  time  to  pass  away  so  that  the  mind  may 
be  free  to  pursue  its  development.  To  this  end,  he 
goes  into  camp  after  his  first  few  weeks  in  ' '  Beast 
Barracks." 

The  camp  is  prettily  situated  in  the  northeast 
corner  of  the  Plain  along  the  bluff  overlooking  the 
Hudson.  In  form  it  is  rectangular,  laid  out  for  six 
companies  whose  streets  are  centrally  cut  by  an 
avenue  known  as  the  general  parade.  The  streets 
are  parallel  to  the  parade  ground  proper,  from 
which  they  are  separated  and  screened  by  a  hedge. 

Nor  is  the  cadet  camp  lacking  in  the  features 
that  make  every  permanent  camp  comfortable  and 
convenient  for  the  soldier.  For  these  creature 
comforts,  the  cadets  have  been  at  times  criticised 
on  the  ground  that  soldiers  in  the  field  should  be 
content  with  the  bare  necessities  of  life.  The  cadet 
camp,  however,  is  intended  as  a  camp  of  instruc- 
tion only.  In  military  life  there  are  two  kinds  of 
camps,  the  permanent  camp  and  the  temporary 
camp.  In  the  latter,  soldiers  live  close  to  nature 
dispensing  with  the  hundred  and  one  little  con- 
veniences that  all  of  us  today  consider  necessary 
to  our  physical  well-being,  but  in  the  former, 
such  as  the  cadet  encampment,  the  soldier  is  pro- 
vided with  a  maximum  of  comfort  —  and  why 
not?  The  illustrated  magazines  that  help  to  bring 
us  closer  to  the  Great  War  in  Europe  give  visual 
proof  that  when  men  remain  for  any  length  of 
time  in  one  place,  even  in  the  zone  of  danger, 


Bending  the  Twig  129 

they  build  and  adorn  abodes.  It  may  be  that 
an  enemy  shell  will  destroy  these  shelters  the 
next  moment,  but  the  domestic  instinct  remains 
unimpaired.  Some  of  the  bomb-proof  dugouts  on 
the  western  front  are  miniature  triumphs  of  archi- 
tecture and  comfort.  The  occupation  year  after 
year  of  the  cadet  camp  has  had  the  same  effect. 
We  therefore  see  today  a  camp  with  graveled  com- 
pany streets  that  are  illuminated  at  night  by  elec- 
tricity. The  tents,  instead  of  being  pegged,  are 
supported  by  galvanized  iron  rails.  The  dim 
candle  of  olden  times  is  replaced  by  the  brilliant 
electric  bulb,  and  the  cadet,  instead  of  reposing 
his  weary  bones  on  the  hard  wooden  floor,  slumbers 
luxuriously  on  a  Gold  Medal  cot. 

A  large  central  tent,  like  a  mother  hen  watching 
over  her  brood,  is  reserved  for  the  Commandant  of 
Cadets.  The  tents  of  the  cadet  officers  are  on  the 
opposite  edge  of  the  space  in  front  of  the  Tactical 
officers'  tents,  the  next  indication  of  hierarchical 
authority.  Then  come  the  tents  of  the  non-com- 
missioned officers  and  the  privates. 

To  have  a  neat-looking  camp,  strict  regulations 
govern  the  arrangement  of  the  tents.  Twice  a  day 
they  are  aligned.  Due  to  changes  in  the  tempera- 
ture, the  supporting  cords  lengthen  or  shorten,  so 
that  the  front  tent-pole  gets  out  of  alignment. 
Then  an  authoritative  voice  rings  out: 

"Turn  out,  'B'  company,  and  straighten  your 
tent-poles ! "  Whereupon  cadets  in  all  conditions  of 
dress  and  undress  tumble  out  of  the  little  brown 


130  West  Point 

canvas  homes.  When  it  rains  the  cords  must  be 
loosened  at  the  first  pitter-patter  of  the  rain- 
drops on  the  tent-fly.  The  new  plebe  sitting  in 
his  underwear  in  his  tent,  probably  polishing  his 
breastplate  for  the  twenty-fifth  time  that  day, 
does  not  realize  that  this  duty  must  be  performed 
until  a  dozen  or  more  yearlings  command  from 
the  recesses  of  the  canvas  bungalows : 

"Turn  out,  you  plebes,  and  loosen  those  tent- 
cords!"  Out  they  jump  into  the  "catacombs" 
(the  space  between  the  tents),  bumping  their  heads 
against  the  rails,  and  at  once  commence  tugging  at 
the  obstinate,  water-soaked  tent-cords,  while  the 
summer  downpour  soaks  them  to  the  skin. 

To  each  tent  two  cadets  are  assigned,  one  of 
whom  performs  for  a  week  at  a  time  the  duty  of 
tent  orderly.  Whenever  the  cadet  detailed  for 
orderly  is  absent  on  account  of  duty  or  sickness,  his 
tent-mate  becomes  responsible.  In  order  that  the 
Tactical  officer  in  charge  of  any  company  may 
know  which  cadet  is  responsible,  there  is  fastened 
on  the  front  tent-pole,  a  revolving  octagonal  disk 
of  wood,  about  three  inches  in  diameter.  Both 
cadets'  names,  as  well  as  the  words  "Guard" 
"Sick,"  are  printed  on  the  face  of  the  disk,  along 
one  of  the  sides,  and  the  disk  revolved  to  indicate 
the  name  of  the  orderly,  or  the  cause  of  the  occu- 
pant's absence.  The  orderly  is  also  supposed  to 
keep  the  water  bucket  filled,  but  the  occupants 
of  each  tent  usually  have  some  private  treaty 


Bending  the  Twig  131 

whose  provisions  prescribe  which  one  shall  "drag" 
the  water  from  the  hydrant. 

Generally  speaking  the  orderly  is  responsible 
for  the  cleanliness  and  police  of  the  tent,  and  of  the 
ground  adjacent  and  in  front,  as  far  as  the  middle 
of  the  company  street  where  the  rubbish  is  swept 
into  a  pile  to  be  removed  by  the  policemen.  These 
men  are  civilian  employees,  many  of  whom  have 
been  at  the  Academy  so  long  that  they  are  inti- 
mately identified  with  the  Corps.  In  time,  some 
of  them  will  fade  into  legendary  characters  much 
the  same  as  Benny  Havens.  Promptly  at  police 
call  at  five  o'clock,  the  wheelbarrow  squad  com- 
manded by  "Mike,"  "Frank,"  or  "Tony,"  moves 
ceremoniously  down  the  street  collecting  the  sweep- 
ings. At  this  hour  the  camp  presents  an  animated 
scene.  Cadets  are  busily  dragging  the  ground 
around  their  tents  with  a  broom  to  give  it  a 
"spoony"  appearance  for  inspection,  and  every 
few  minutes  some  one  man  will  dart  out  to  the 
center  of  the  street  with  a  stray  match  or  piece  of 
paper  and  throw  it  in  the  passing  wheelbarrow. 

The  interior  of  the  tent  contains  a  wooden  clothes- 
press  and  usually  a  canvas  stretcher  suspended  from 
the  ridge  pole.  Each  cadet  has  a  certain  section 
for  his  clothes.  All  articles,  belts,  gloves,  socks 
must  be  folded  and  arranged  in  a  prescribed  man- 
ner. The  cots  are  folded  and  kept  out  of  sight 
during  the  day.  Gray,  painted  wooden  lockers 
for  storing  cleaning  material  and  clothing  border 
one  side  of  the  tent  floor.  Many  cadets,  however, 


132  West  Point 

secrete  food,  known  as  "Boodle"  in  these  con- 
venient places,  and  I  am  sure  that  an  unexpected 
inspection  would  reveal  many  tins  of  sal  tines, 
bottles  of  olives,  and  jars  of  peanut  butter.  Dur- 
ing my  cadet  days,  the  officer  in  charge  of  my 
company  never,  for  some  reason,  looked  into  the 
lockers.  My  tent-mate  and  I  therefore  grew  more 
and  more  bold  about  filling  them  with  vast  sup- 
plies of  "Boodle,"  and  we  began  to  think  that 
the  "Tac"  was  inspired  by  a  sort  of  noblesse  oblige 
where  the  lockers  were  concerned,  a  sort  of  sym- 
pathetic remembrance  of  his  own  cadet-gnawing 
appetite.  One  Saturday,  however,  just  as  he  was 
leaving  and  I  was  offering  a  silent  prayer  of  thanks- 
giving, he  ordered  the  lockers  opened.  A  gallon 
jar  in  which  some  fifty  olives  lay  submerged  and 
a  slovenly  looking  pineapple  cheese  met  my  hu- 
miliated gaze.  A  reprimand  that  as  a  cadet  officer 
I  should  set  an  example  to  the  rest  of  the  company, 
and  five  demerits,  were  awarded  to  me  forthwith. 
When  the  tents  are  not  prepared  for  inspection, 
however,  cadets  may  make  down  the  cots  and  rest. 
How  wonderfully  refreshing  it  is  to  rest !  to  throw 
oneself  down  on  the  blankets  and  forget  the  heat, 
the  weary  march,  the  grime,  the  dust,  and  abandon 
oneself  to  the  delights  of  the  imagination,  dreaming 
of  the  sweetness  of  the  past  or  building  vast  plans 
for  the  future !  How  precious  to  the  cadet  is  each 
moment  of  repose  snatched  from  the  busy  day! 
But  it  is  in  the  morning  that  the  real  longing  for 
sleep  becomes  most  acute. 


Bending  the  Twig  133 

Every  morning  at  5:20,  the  solitary  boom  of 
the  reveille  gun  is  echoed  throughout  the  hills, 
rudely  dissipating  the  fog  of  unconsciousness  that 
envelops  the  sleeping  cadets.  Little  by  little  the 
deathlike  slumber  of  the  camp  is  broken.  Indis- 
tinct sounds,  a  sigh,  a  yawn,  float  gently  out  upon 
the  air;  drugged  forms  twist  and  roll  uncertainly 
beneath  the  mosquito  bars,  as  if  struggling  in  a 
bewildered  sort  of  way  to  preserve  the  pleasing 
heaviness  that  charms  their  bodies. 

Suddenly  the  air  is  torn  by  the  shrill  garrulous 
fifes  and  the  lusty  rub-a-dub-dub  of  the  drums. 
The  reveille  march  has  begun.  Around  the  camp 
the  "Hell  Cats"  march,  up  one  street,  down  an- 
other like  demons  possessed.  The  shrieking  sounds 
of  the  fifes  and  the  deep  rolling  noise  of  the  drums 
brusquely  rout  the  stillness  of  the  dawn,  while  the 
semi-conscious  forms  toy  with  danger,  beguiling 
themselves  that  there  is  plenty  of  time  until  the  as- 
sembly. Presently  from  near  the  general  parade 
the  familiar  warning  notes  of  Yankee  Doodle  change 
the  camp  to  a  place  of  intense  animation.  Up  go 
mosquito  bars  and  in  a  twinkling,  almost  as  if  by 
magic,  tents  disgorge  their  sleepy  occupants,  hastily 
and  feverishly  buttoning  their  uniforms  as  they  run 
to  their  places  in  ranks  to  the  fading  rolls  of  the 
drum  corps. 

After  reveille  it  takes  but  a  few  minutes 
to  police  the  tents  and  perform  the  necessary 
ablutions  before  breakfast.  The  drills  commence 
within  a  half-hour  after  the  morning  meal  and 


134  West  Point 

continue  until  noon.  They  are  of  various  kinds, 
the  majority  of  which  will  be  described  in  the 
chapter  entitled  "Lessons  from  Mars,"  but  I 
will  speak  of  the  plebe's  work  in  his  first  camp, 
since  it  is  somewhat  different. 

The  physical  exercises  given  to  the  new  cadet 
in  "Beast  Barracks"  are  continued  in  camp.  In 
addition,  he  is  sent  to  the  Gymnasium  for  swim- 
ming, where  a  professional  instructor  is  present 
to  see  that  no  one  drowns,  and  to  teach  the  various 
strokes.  As  many  of  the  cadets  are  adept  swim- 
mers upon  entrance,  they  are  tested,  and  those 
found  qualified  are  excused  from  further  attendance. 
The  men  who  cannot  swim,  the  real  "land  lub- 
bers," attend  daily  until  they  are  proficient. 

The  most  diverting  instruction,  however,  in 
plebe  camp  is  the  dancing  lesson.  A  civilian  pro- 
fessor spends  the  summer  at  West  Point  to  instruct 
the  fourth  classmen  in  the  Terpsichorean  art. 
Every  morning  at  hour  intervals,  squads  of  cadets 
carrying  their  pumps  march  across  the  parade  to 
Cullum  Hall.  Here  they  remove  their  coats,  put 
on  their  pumps,  and  line  themselves  along  the  wall. 
The  waltz  step  is  first  taught  as  the  basis  of  all 
dancing,  then  later  the  two-step,  and,  since  the 
new  dances  have  come  upon  us,  the  fox-trot  and 
one-step  are  rehearsed  toward  the  end  of  the 
course.  The  dancing  lesson  is  not  open  to  visitors. 
Once  upon  a  time  it  was,  but  long  cadets,  short 
cadets,  fat  cadets,  lean  cadets,  awkward  and  grace- 
ful ones,  all  tiptoeing,  "one-  and  two-  and  three- 


Bending  the  Twig  135 

ing"  around  the  room  like  a  lot  of  coy  young 
hippopotami  with  compass  bearings  lost,  became  a 
famous  sight  for  tourists,  who  wanted  to  enjoy  a 
good  laugh.  How  could  anyone  learn  to  dance  in 
the  presence  of  a  giggling  crowd !  But  the  crowd 
wasn '  t  to  blame !  Here  in  one  corner  was  a  little  slen- 
der chap  delicate  as  a  reed,  perspiring  in  his  efforts 
to  steer  his  six-foot  partner,  a  regular  steam 
roller,  through  the  mazes  of  Professor  Vesay's 
old-fashioned  waltz.  Again,  all  over  the  room, 
self-conscious  boys  in  white  shirt-sleeves  were 
in  a  bewildered  state  trying  to  execute  the 
Professor's  directions : 

" Right  foot  in  second  position — glide  and  cut!" 
Nowadays  an  officer  excludes  all  sightseers  during 
the  lesson. 

The  instruction  of  the  plebe  in  infantry  drill 
continues  uninterruptedly,  for  it  is  essential  that 
he  should  not  spoil  the  appearance  of  the  rest  of 
the  battalion.  Together  with  swimming,  dancing, 
and  infantry  drill,  his  morning  is  completely  oc- 
cupied. After  the  midday  dinner,  he  is  assembled 
in  squad  for  instruction  in  hygiene  and  guard  duty, 
or  he  may  be  required  to  spend  his  time  working 
upon  his  equipment,  his  brasses,  his  bayonet,  and 
rifle. 

Very  little  social  diversion  is  permitted  to  the 
plebe,  because  he  is  usually  awkward  in  appearance 
and  unfamiliar  with  military  customs  and  deport- 
ment. Consequently  he  considers  that  his  life 
is  excessively  hard,  to  him  unnecessarily  so;  but 


136  West  Point 

as  I  have  observed  cadets  for  thirteen  years  I 
am  convinced  of  the  wisdom  of  holding  them  in 
a  distinct  class  for  one  year.  Then  they  emerge 
from  the  cocoon  of  plebedom  as  dazzling  yearling 
butterflies. 

To  afford  instruction  in  guard  duty  the  camp 
is  surrounded  by  sentinels.  A  quota  of  cadets 
from  each  company  marches  on  guard  immediately 
after  parade  in  the  evening.  There  are  three 
reliefs  for  each  of  the  ten  posts :  three  corporals, 
a  sergeant,  and  two  officers  of  the  guard,  and  an 
officer  of  the  day.  The  guard  is  under  the  control 
and  supervision  of  the  officer  in  charge,  who  is  one 
of  the  Tactical  officers.  Each  sentinel  walks  two 
hours  and  rests  four,  so  that  during  the  twenty- 
four  hours  the  cadet  walks  eight  hours.  The  ef- 
fect of  this  duty  upon  the  cadet  is  lasting,  for  it 
teaches  him  the  fatigue  a  sentinel  experiences  and 
prevents  him,  when  an  officer,  from  demanding 
too  much  of  his  men.  The  borders  of  the  camp 
are  divided  into  posts,  numbered  from  I  to  10. 

The  first  important  duty  demanded  of  the 
plebe  is  guard.  With  what  quivering  sensations 
this  youthful  soldier  approaches  his  first  real  test ! 
Before  he  goes  on  guard  he  is  instructed  in  his 
orders,  both  general  and  special,  but  few  feel  as  if 
they  knew  them  well  enough  to  stand  the  ordeal 
of  an  inspection  by  a  yearling  corporal.  No  op- 
portunity is  lost,  therefore,  before  the  hour  to 
march  on  post  to  perfect  his  knowledge,  so  that 
after  supper  little  groups  of  excited  and  nervous 


Bending  the  Twig  137 

plebes  study  diligently  these  orders  under  the  pale 
and  insect-infested  lamp-posts  near  the  guard 
tent.  In  the  obscure  light  these  slim  gray  forms, 
some  seated  and  some  standing,  seem  shadowy  and 
motionless  except  for  their  gloves,  little  dabs  of 
white  that  move  restlessly  to  and  fro,  attacking 
the  ubiquitous  mosquitoes. 

The  nearby  guard  tents  under  the  elms  are 
dark  except  the  main  one  where  sit  the  officers  of 
the  guard,  who  keep  the  record  of  a  stream  of 
gay  upper-classmen,  signing  out  for  the  hops  and 
concerts.  How  far  ofl  they  are  to  the  plebe! 
It  seems  to  each  one,  as  he  watches  them  from  the 
shadows,  that  there  is  an  impassable  gulf  between 
them,  and  he  wonders  as  he  listens  to  their  hurried 
voices  calling,  "Ducrot,  hop  with,"  or  "Dumb- 
guard,  hop  with,  extended"  if  ever  his  year  of 
plebedom  will  roll  by.  What  are  those  unintelli- 
gible remarks?  It  is  some  time  before  he  under- 
stands that  the  above  expressions  mean  that 
Cadet  Ducrot  is  taking  a  young  lady  to  the  hop, 
and  that  Cadet  Dumbguard  also,  except  that  the 
latter 's  girl  lives  at  some  distance  so  that  he  is 
allowed  ten  minutes  more  after  the  conclusion  of 
the  dance  to  escort  the  young  lady  to  her  home. 
Today,  as  I  stroll  by  the  camp  in  the  evening  and 
see  the  same  scenes  reenacted,  I  re-live  the  first 
impressions  of  my  own  plebe  days. 

Often  while  I  was  waiting  my  turn  to  go  on  post, 
I  sat  fascinated  as  I  watched  the  scene  at  the 
guard  tents  in  the  twilight  of  the  summer  evenings. 


138  West  Point 

From  the  obscurity  of  the  carnp,  stalwart  figures 
were  constantly  coming.  Their  gray  coats  and 
the  evening  mists  merged  into  one  so  completely, 
it  seemed  as  if  only  animated  pairs  of  white  trousers 
were  flitting  across  the  parade,  all  converging 
toward  Post  No.  i.  Little  by  little,  as  they 
approached  the  light  of  the  guard  tent,  the  rays 
that  were  stabbing  the  darkness  illumined  the  bell 
buttons  of  the  gray  coats,  and  for  a  brief  moment 
gleaming  forms  with  happy  laughing  faces  filled 
the  picture  and  then  into  the  darkness  of  the 
Plain  quickly  disappeared. 

Such  reveries,  however,  are  usually  interrupted 
by  a  sharp  voice  calling: 

' '  Turn  out  the  second  relief ! "  ' '  Hurry  up,  you 
plebes, "  and  away  the  novitiates  scamper  to  per- 
form their  first  guard  tour.  As  the  relief  marches 
around  the  graveled  paths  under  the  command  of 
a  very  military  corporal,  the  plebe  has,  in  spite  of 
his  feeling  of  uncertainty,  a  sensation  of  pride  in 
being  entrusted  with  the  guard  of  a  part  of  the 
camp.  Each  time  that  the  corporal  commands 
"  Relief  Halt  No.  2 ! "  and  the  rifles  hit  the  ground 
in  unison,  a  pleasurable  thrill  pervades  his  being, 
a  consciousness  of  a  certain  importance.  Before 
very  much  pride  can  swell  his  breast,  he  is  brought 
back  to  reality  by  the  stern  corporal  exclaiming, 
"Wake  up,  Mr.  Dumbguard,  and  come  to  port 
arms ! "  or ' '  Drag  in  your  chin ! "  In  goes  the  chin, 
and  the  shoulders  instinctively  draw  to  the  rear. 
Glory  was  brief ;  humiliation  reigns  anew. 


Bending  the  Twig  139 

Then  commences  in  earnest  the  lonely  two  hours 
of  marching  up  and  down,  back  and  forth,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  the  nine  pounds  of  the  rifle  has 
tripled  at  least.  The  arms  ache,  and  legs  feel  as 
if  they  would  bore  holes  in  the  body. 

The  early  part  of  the  tour  is  filled  with  interest. 
The  animation  in  some  company  streets  in  con- 
trast to  the  silence  in  others,  the  occasional  tink- 
ling of  mandolins,  the  cries  from  one  tent  to 
another,  the  laughter  over  a  surreptitious  bucket 
of  lemonade,  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  phonograph,  the 
confusion  over  the  wash  lists,  scampering  cadets 
noisily  returning  from  hops  and  concerts — all  keep 
a  sentinel  from  thinking  of  himself.  It  is  not  until 
the  three  taps  of  the  drum,  when  the  camp  is 
magically  plunged  into  obscurity  and  silence,  that 
the  plebe  begins  to  feel  the  monotony  of  his  duty 
and,  while  walking  mechanically  back  and  forth 
on  his  post,  to  become  introspective. 

The  stillness  of  the  camp  only  accentuates  his 
slow  nonchalant  step  on  the  path.  In  his  imagina- 
tion the  air  seems  to  be  filled  with  invisible  spirits — 
the  spirits  of  the  night  that  have  come  forth. 
First  he  is  conscious  of  only  a  few  timid  ones  here 
and  there,  but  as  the  hours  wear  on  they  seem  to 
grow  bolder  and  bolder,  filling  the  surrounding  at- 
mosphere and  whispering  in  his  ear  their  ghostly 
messages.  Each  nerve  becomes  more  alert  as 
he  listens  for  the  crunch,  crunch,  crunch  of  some 
official  step  on  the  gravel.  Plow  vivid  and  eerie 
seem  his  surroundings!  The  lonesome  hours  of 


140  West  Point 

the  night  strike  a  sympathetic  chord  in  his  sensi- 
tive nature  and  the  balmy  stillness  calls  forth  his 
starry  fancies.  At  this  hour  when  his  comrades 
lie  in  their  tents  bewitched  by  sleep,  the  most 
beguiling  of  enchantments,  he  is  conscious  that 
another  mysterious  world  is  awakening  all  around 
him  in  the  solitude  and  silence.  The  air  is  filled 
with  fairies  holding  their  imperceptible  revels.  He 
hears  the  rustling  of  the  leaves,  the  intermittent 
chattering  of  the  crickets,  the  soughing  of  the 
breeze  in  the  branches,  as  if  the  trees  in  great 
distress  were  calling  mournfully  to  each  other. 
Should  this  be  the  first  time  that  he  is  alone  at 
night  on  post,  he  is  a  little  afraid,  and  starts  at  the 
faintest  sound.  It  seems  that  when  man  reposes, 
the  Things  come  forth  to  their  daily  tasks,  per- 
formed in  a  world  unknown  to  us. 

Never  will  he  forget,  however,  the  ineffable 
beauty  of  the  scene,  so  beautiful  that  he  is  filled 
with  a  little  sadness.  The  buildings  across  the 
Plain,  stern  and  melancholy  even  in  the  darkness, 
seemed  to  be  companion  sentinels  ever  watchful  over 
their  traditions,  and  guarding  the  sleeping  hills 
dimly  discernible  through  their  misty  blankets. 
Occasionally  a  graceful  river  steamer,  like  some 
huge  Jack-o'-Lantern  ruffling  the  smooth  waters 
of  the  Hudson,  glides  softly  by  under  the  cliff, 
her  throbbing  engines  seeming  to  send  forth  a 
certain  warmth  that  dispels  the  chill  of  the  early 
morning. 

It  is  at  this  hour  especially  that  his  thoughts 


Bending  the  Twig  141 

wander  to  his  "ain  Folk"  and  reveal  to  his  senses 
the  full  aroma  of  his  days  at  home. 

The  clanking  of  a  sword  in  the  darkness  calls 
him  back  to  earth  and  to  the  realization  that 
the  dreaded  inspection  is  at  hand. 

"Halt!  Who  goes  there?"  he  quickly  challenges. 

"Corporal  of  the  Guard,"  answers  a  sepulchral 
voice  from  the  shadows. 

"Advance,  Corporal  of  the  Guard,  with  the  coun- 
tersign," uncertainly  commands  the  plebe.  When 
within  whispering  distance,  the  corporal  faintly 
breathes  the  countersign,  "Saratoga,"  or  "Bur- 
goyne"  (or. maybe  Tannhauser  or  Dumbguard, 
to  test  the  sentinel),  whereupon  the  corporal  is 
allowed  to  pass  by  the  sentinel's  order : 

"Advance,  Corporal  of  the  Guard." 

In  the  eyes  of  the  yearling  corporal,  a  plebe  is 
habitually  wrong,  so  that  for  a  few  trying  minutes 
the  benighted  sentinel  endeavors  to  "take  charge 
of  his  post  and  all  government  property  in  view, " 
while  his  preceptor  picks  him  to  pieces,  his  bear- 
ing, his  accoutrements,  his  knowledge,  admonishing 
him  at  intervals,  to  "Drag  in  his  chin — way  in." 
But  soon,  the  solitude  of  the  night  begins  to  work 
even  upon  the  yearling  corporal  constraining  him 
to  indulge  in  a  partial  intimacy  with  the  plebe, 
adding  in  softened  tones : 

"Mister,  where  are  you  from?" 

' '  South  Carolina,  sir, ' '  proudly  responds  the  senti- 
nel, touched  by  theupper-classman'snear-cordiality. 

With  a  gruff  "Pretty  fine  State,  mister,"  the 


i42  West  Point 

corporal  virtuously  departs  to  interrogate  his  next 
victim. 

How  welcome  now  is  the  first  faint  tread  of  the 
relief  as  it  makes  its  bi-hourly  round  to  take  the 
sleepy  sentinel  back  to  the  guard  tent  where  a  bed 
of  camp  stools  awaits  his  aching  muscles. 

The  tour  of  guard  of  a  new  cadet  is  sometimes 
made  uncomfortable  by  the  pranks  of  the  upper- 
classmen,  although  since  the  abolition  of  hazing 
at  West  Point,  this  form  of  diversion  has  greatly 
diminished.  The  regulations  against  hazing  have 
been  made  so  stringent  that  few  cadets  indulge  in 
the  practice.  As  a  matter  of  fact  hazing  no  longer 
exists  at  the  Military  Academy.  A  few  heedless 
chaps  from  time  to  time,  forgetful  of  the  future, 
unconscious  of  the  heartburns  that  they  will  suffer 
later  on,  indulge  in  hazing  the  plebes,  but  they 
pay  the  price  for  their  fun.  Formerly,  hazing 
was  tolerated  among  the  cadets  because  some 
of  its  features  were  not  harmful  or  objectionable, 
but,  as  in  all  cases  where  a  little  liberty  is  granted 
to  lads  of  immature  judgment,  license  followed. 
The  practice  was  carried  too  far  and  moderation 
ceased  to  exist.  In  1901,  at  the  instance  of  a 
former  cadet's  parents,  Congress  ordered  an  in- 
vestigation of  hazing  conditions,  with  the  result 
that  the  Superintendent  was  directed  to  abolish 
all  semblance  of  mistreatment  of  plebes  by  upper- 
classmen. 

The  more  vicious  practices  disappeared  at  once, 


Bending  the  Twig  143 

but  from  time  to  time  investigation  revealed  iso- 
lated cases  of  the  innocent  kind.  In  the  days  of 
hazing,  the  favorite  and  most  injurious  punish- 
ment meted  out  to  a  plebe,  if  he  were  at  all  fresh, 
or  "B.  J. "  as  the  cadets  say,  was  a  series  of  exer- 
cises known  as  "eagles. "  The  new  man  would  be 
taken  in  a  tent,  stripped  to  the  waist,  and  com- 
pelled to  execute  a  setting-up  exercise,  "Full  bend 
knees."  The  knees  are  separated  and  bent  as 
much  as  possible ;  point  of  knees  forced  forward  and 
downward,  heels  together;  trunk  and  head  erect; 
but  instead  of  placing  the  hands  on  the  hips,  he  was 
required  to  raise  the  arms  laterally.  It  is  not  the 
exercise  itself  that  was  injurious,  but  the  duration 
of  the  punishment.  Some  men  were  required  to 
"eagle"  100  or  150  times  without  a  rest,  and  if 
they  had  committed  a  particularly  heinous  offense, 
this  physical  rebuke  was  administered  under  the 
broiling  sun  in  the  ' '  catacombs. ' '  Another  form  of 
punishment  consisted  in  making  plebes,  stripped 
to  the  waist,  hold  pieces  of  matches  or  tissue  paper, 
between  their  shoulder  blades  for  half  an  hour  or 
more,  while  their  tormentors  stood  around  insisting 
that  they  flatten  their  chins  to  their  necks. 

But  this  punishment  was  not  viewed  by  the  plebes 
with  as  much  dismay  as  was  the  servitude  to  "To- 
basco  Sauce. "  The  prowling  yearlings  would  de- 
scend into  the  Fourth  Class  sink,  line  up  the  plebes, 
and  order  them  to  stick  out  their  tongues,  upon 
which  they  dashed  a  flop  or  two  of  the  burning 
liquid  and  fled.  Sometimes,  at  the  Mess  Hall,  as 


144  West  Point 

much  as  half  a  teaspoonf ul  was  meted  out  for  some 
unconscious  transgression  by  the  plebe  of  the  upper- 
classmen's  wishes.  Fortunately  the  above  prac- 
tices have  long  since  disappeared. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  greater  part  of  the 
hazing  consisted  of  what  is  known  at  college  as 
"fagging,"  such  as  dragging  water,  sweeping 
tents,  making  beds,  cleaning  brasses  and  rifles, 
making  lemonade,  running  errands,  sewing  but- 
tons on  white  trousers,  etc.  Each  upper-classman 
selected  a  plebe  for  his  "special  duty  man"  to 
perform  the  aforementioned  tasks.  Most  of  the 
plebes  did  the  duty  cheerfully,  buoyed  up  by  the 
thought  that  next  year  their  turn  to  have  a  plebe 
would  arrive.  A  large  part  of  the  hazing,  more- 
over, was  the  so-called  "deviling"  the  plebes,  a 
generic  term  applied  to  all  kinds  of  humorous  and 
mischievous  pranks.  Any  cadet,  for  example,  who 
possessed  any  peculiarity  of  size,  appearance,  or  tem- 
perament was  given  a  "  tech  "  or  technical  name,  to 
be  used  always  in  lieu  of  his  own.  One  of  my  class- 
mates, whose  tent  was  in  a  part  of  the  camp  called 
"Paradise  Alley, "  was  given  in  consequence  of  his 
auburn  hair  the  following  "tech"  with  strict  in- 
structions to  use  it  no  matter  who  asked  him  his 
name.  In  reply,  therefore,  to  the  same  inquiry, 
"Who  are  you?  "  many  times  daily,  he  scrupulously 
replied : 

"I  am  a  too-loo-loo  bird,  sir!  Peep-y-ty-peep, 
sir!  Poop-y-ty-poop !  Ah!  .  .  .  there.  I'm  the 
sunshine  of  Paradise  Alley,  sir;  I  am  a  queen,  sir. 


Bending  the  Twig  145 

My  hair  is  sky-blue  pink  with  a  heavenly  border, 
sir!  Don't  you  think  I'm  handsome,  sir?  I  don't 
give  a  damn,  sir!" 

This  "tech"  became  famous,  the  peep-y-ty-peep 
part  fastening  itself  upon  him  as  a  nickname.  Of 
course,  all  of  these  pranks  were  carried  on  sub 
rosa  and  presumedly  without  the  sanction  or  knowl- 
edge of  the  authorities.  One  night,  however,  the 
cadet  was  detailed  for  guard  for  the  first  time. 
It  happened  that  his  tour  of  duty  was  from  2  A.M. 
to  4  A.M. ,  those  awful  hours  of  the  night.  ' l  Peep-y- 
ty-peep"  was  patrolling  his  post  ready  to  charge 
anything  that  came  along.  Suddenly  the  huge 
shadow  of  a  cavalry  Tactical  officer  with  a  rattling 
saber  and  jingling  spurs  loomed  out  of  the  darkness. 
Frantically  "Peep-y-ty-peep"  charged  down  the 
post  screaming, ' '  Halt !  Halt !  who's  thar  ? ' '  (in  good 
old  Alabama  English),  until  most  of  the  sleeping 
cadets  in  the  vicinity  of  the  post  were  awakened. 
After  a  few  minutes  of  backing  and  filling  the  mas- 
sive cavalry  officer  arrived  in  front  of  the  now 
thoroughly  bewildered  "sunshine  of  Paradise  Al- 
ley," and  began  to  ask  him  his  orders.  Poor  old 
"  Peep-y-ty-peep  "  forgot  them  all,  general  and  spe- 
cial. After  vain,  fruitless  efforts  to  obtain  an  ex- 
pression of  opinion  of  some  sort  from  the  sentinel, 
this  officer  said  in  desperation :  "Who  are  you,  any- 
way?" Whereupon  perfectly  seriously  the  rooky 
sentinel  cried  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  while  the  near- 
by tents  shook  with  laughter,  "I'm  a  too-loo-loo  bird, 
sir!  Peep-y-ty-peep, sir!  Poop-y-ty- poop, sir!  Ah...! 


146  West  Point 

there.  I'm  the  sunshine  of  Paradise  Alley,  sir! 
I'm — "  The  Tactical  officer  hurriedly  disappeared. 

Such  incidents  as  the  above  kept  the  plebes  from 
becoming  too  depressed.  The  fun  of  the  upper- 
classmen  found  many  other  outlets.  On  days 
when  watermelons  were  served  in  the  Mess  Hall, 
the  plebes  were  required  at  the  conclusion  of 
the  meal  to  fill  their  mouths  with  seeds,  and 
thus  loaded  to  the  gunwales  to  march  back  to 
camp.  The  wriggling,  squirming,  slippery  little 
black  particles  fought  with  one  another  to  burst 
open  the  encircling  mouth  en  cul  de  poule  and 
leap  to  freedom,  and  occasionally  their  efforts 
were  successful,  on  the  march  back  to  camp,  to 
the  detriment  of  the  blouse  of  the  plebe's  front 
rank  file.  More  frequently,  however,  upon  arrival 
at  camp,  the  plebes  of  A  Co.  were  lined  up  at  six 
paces  from  those  of  B  Co.,  and  at  a  given  sig- 
nal the  human  machine  guns  belched  forth  their 
glossy  black  bullets.  One  upper-classman  ordered 
me  to  gather  a  handful  from  the  battlefield  and 
plant  them  around  his  tent.  To  my  dismay  and 
chagrin  they  sprouted,  whereupon  I  was  instructed 
to  care  for  them,  keep  them  in  health  or  sickness, 
and  train  the  growing  vines  on  slender  cords. 

The  plebes  were  hardly  allowed  a  moment  to  them- 
selves. Every  spare  moment  was  employed  in  clean- 
ing guns,  brasses  and  other  equipment,  chiefly  of 
upper-classmen  for  whom  one  happened  to  be 
a  "special  duty  man. "  If  some  unoffending  spar- 
rows alighted  in  the  company  streets,  half  a  dozen 


Bending  the  Twig  147 

yearling  voices  rang  out,  "Turn  out,  you  plebes,  and 
chase  those  eagles!"  Lads  in  all  sorts  and  condi- 
tions of  undress  fell  precipitately  out  of  their  tents, 
bayonets  in  hand,  to  drive  away  the  innocent  feath- 
ered marauders.  If  an  upper-classman  wished  to 
know  the  time,  he  would  yell,  "Quelle  heure  est-il?" 
a  whole  chorus  replied, ' '  Two  o'clock,  sir ! "  Again, 
every  plebe  was  required  upon  inquiry  to  give  his 
P.  C.  S.,  or  previous  condition  of  servitude.  Those 
who  had  none,  never  having  worked  in  their  lives, 
were  made  to  answer  "  schoolgirl."  as  a  mark  of  im- 
maturity and  unworldliness.  Never  was  a  plebe 
permitted  to  say:  "I  don't  know. "  "Say  some- 
thing, Mr.  Dumbguard,"  was  the  admonishment 
followed  by:  "If  you  cannot  think  of  anything,  say 
'steamboat'!  Never  say  that  you  don't  know!" 

I  once  stood  behind  a  man  in  ranks  who  weighed, 
he  said,  190  pounds.  I  weighed  but  120.  It  be- 
came my  daily  duty  to  weigh  and  report  to  him 
how  much  of  his  frail  body  I,  as  his  near  rank  file, 
left  uncovered  and  exposed  to  the  elements.  When 
a  plebe  was  on  guard  at  night,  some  of  the  yearl- 
ings would  appear  on  his  post  covered  with  sheets 
which  they  fluttered  at  a  great  rate. 

"Halt!  Who  goes  there?"  cries  the  sentinel. 

"A  flock  of  angels,"  was  the  reply,  and  before 
the  sentinel  could  get  the  corporal  of  the  guard, 
the  flock  had  flown. 

The  piece  de  resistance  of  the  camp  was,  however, 
a  rat  funeral  for  which  elaborate  preparations  were 


148  West  Point 

made.  Efforts  for  days  were  exerted  to  catch  a 
rat  or  a  mouse,  but  if  neither  could  be  beguiled 
into  the  trap,  a  grasshopper  served  the  purpose. 
In  a  plebe's  tent  an  imposing  catafalque,  equal  to 
that  prepared  for  any  crowned  head,  was  con- 
structed of  wooden  lockers  covered  with  black 
rubber  ponchos.  Upon  the  top  of  this  bier  sur- 
rounded by  candles  was  Mr.  Rat. 

During  the  night  preceding  the  obsequies  a 
guard  of  honor  of  the  plebes,  fantastically  dressed, 
kept  a  running  watch  over  the  fast-stiffening 
rodent.  Next  day,  after  drill,  came  the  funeral. 
Orders  were  issued  by  the  upper-classmen  for  all 
plebes  to  attend  and  for  those  having  musical 
instruments  to  appear  with  them.  One  plebe  was 
detailed  to  act  as  chaplain  and  prepare  the  funeral 
oration,  another  as  leader  of  the  band,  another  as 
chief  mourner.  The  remainder  of  the  plebes  were 
the  afflicted  relatives  whose  weeds  were  the  most 
bizarre  and  fantastic  costumes  that  they  could, 
create.  In  the  procession,  therefore,  were  plebes 
in  underdrawers  and  dress  coats  buttoned  in  the 
rear,  hats  reversed,  breeches  with  no  shoes,  shoes 
without  breeches,  ponchos  over  nature  only,  and 
sometimes  in  puris  naturalibus.  Each  mourner, 
moreover,  came  with  a  galvanized  bucket  to  catch 
his  tears. 

First  appeared  the  band  composed  of  mandolins 
and  guitars,  a  stray  violin,  and  perhaps  a  lonely 
cornet,  followed  by  the  deceased  borne  upon  a 
canvas  stretcher  strewn  with  dandelions.  To  the 


Bending  the  Twig  149 

tune  of  Chopin's  funeral  march,  the  grotesquely 
arrayed  mourners  followed  the  bier,  chanting 
from  time  to  time  a  parody  written  for  the  music 
and  entitled  "Somebody  Hit  Me  with  a  Codfish 
Ball!"  At  a  signal  from  the  chief  mourner  the 
cortege  halted  to  allow  the  plebes  to  deliver  them- 
selves with  abandon  to  their  grief.  By  order, 
they  raised  the  galvanized  buckets  to  catch  the 
"tears  that  stopped  the  flood-gates  of  their  eyes, " 
while  they  filled  the  air  with  agonized  mournings 
and  lamentations.  If  the  sobbing  and  blubbering 
appeared  too  faint,  the  upper-classmen  who  lined 
the  route  increased  the  wailings  by  yelling,  "Weep 
louder,  you  plebes!" 

At  the  grave,  somewhere  in  the  rear  of  the  camp, 
the  "chaplain,"  "Daddy"  Singles,  spoke  feelingly 
of  the  departed  one's  nobility  of  soul.  The  gnaw- 
ing grief  of  the  multitude  gave  way  once  more  to 
despair  (and  usually  to  laughter)  as  they  lowered 
into  the  ground  poor  old  Mr.  Rat,  whose  rigid 
whiskers  gave  him  an  amused  expression,  as  if  he 
were  enjoying  his  honorable  end. 

After  two  months'  training  in  camp,  the  cadets 
return  to  barracks  to  begin  their  academic  duties. 
At  once,  all  nonsense  ceases,  and  the  new  cadet 
is  in  no  wise  interfered  with,  even  in  fun.  The 
routine  changes  completely  and  the  day  becomes 
fuller.  Reveille  is  a  half  hour  later,  but  the  work 
increases  and  there  are  fewer  leisure  moments. 

It  is  to  the  more  serious  and  inexorable  side  of 


150  West  Point 

his  training  that  the  cadet  must  now  turn.  Life  in 
barracks  is  more  sedate,  more  formal,  more  cold 
than  the  free  existence  of  camp  where  he  and  his 
comrades  were  living  close  to  Nature.  The  time 
has  arrived  to  renounce  the  pleasure  of  sleeping  in 
the  open,  of  breathing  the  fragrant  out-of-doors, 
of  living  in  the  midst  of  scenery  that  appeals  to 
every  aesthetic  faculty.  It  is  in  the  rooms  of  bar- 
racks that  the  next  nine  months  must  be  passed, 
the  severe  unadorned  rooms  whose  bareness,  how- 
ever, is  forgotten  in  the  ineffable  sweetness  of  the 
friendship  of  one's  roommate.  At  no  place,  perhaps, 
are  closer  friendships  formed  than  at  West  Point. 
They  are  not  of  the  whirlwind  kind  so  common' 
elsewhere  today,  that  sweep  one  off  his  feet  for  the 
time  being.  Nor  are  they  like  some  great  roaring 
wind  that  shakes  one's  nature  to  its  depths  and 
then  leaves  him  bruised  and  torn,  but  wide  awake 
at  last,  to  spend  its  force  in  other  directions. 
Rather  are  they  friendships  of  slower  growth,  but 
deep  and  sincere,  belonging  more  to  a  mature  age 
than  to  the  irresponsible  years  of  a  cadet  when  his 
enthusiasm,  his  likes  and  dislikes,  seem  to  be  the 
only  things  necessary  to  foster. 

The  difficulties  of  his  studies,  the  homesickness, 
the  fatigue*  of  the  drills,  the  irksomeness  of  the 
routine,  are  all  lightened  by  the  intimacy  with  his 
chum,  by  the  smile  of  sympathy,  or  the  word  of 
encouragement  that  greets  him  at  all  times.  It 
is  a  great  privilege  to  live  in  close  contact  with  a 
human  being  and  be  allowed  a  glimpse  into  his 


Bending  the  Twig  151 

soul.  It  compensates  for  all  the  stony  paths  of 
life,  for  all  hardships,  and  sends  one  forth  to  his 
duties  with  a  feeling  of  joy  and  gladness,  strong  in 
heart  and  thankful  to  God. 

In  every  room  in  barracks  dwell  two  chums, 
each  the  "wife"  of  the  other.  The  increased 
number  of  cadets  and  the  negligence  of  Congress 
to  provide  extra  barracks  have  caused  the  intro- 
duction of  Mormonism,  for  in  some  rooms  are 
three  chums,  each  with  two  "wives." 

The  most  striking  feature  about  the  rooms  is 
their  plainness.  Here  the  cadet  is  "allowed  not 
more  than  nature  needs, "  or  scarcely  more,  for  an 
'inventory  of  the  furniture  discloses  two  iron  cots, 
one  iron  washstand,  two  plain  wooden  tables, 
two  wooden  chairs,  and  two  steel  clothespresses. 
The  walls  and  floors  are  bare,  for  the  Regulations 
prohibit  rugs,  carpets,  pictures,  placards,  banners, 
or  any  other  adornment.  Upon  the  plain  black 
iron  mantel  in  the  middle  is  a  mirror,  flanked  by 
black  tin  frames  containing  the  hours  of  instruc- 
tion and  a  time  schedule  designed  to  indicate  at  all 
times  the  whereabouts  of  the  occupants  of  the 
room.  Not  to  have  the  hours  of  instruction 
correctly  posted  is  a  military  offense.  No  matter 
where  the  cadet  is,  at  recitation,  barber  shop, 
church,  lecture,  hospital,  library,  his  card  must  so 
indicate.  In  addition,  a  small  inexpensive  clock 
may  be  kept  on  the  mantel. 

To  give  each  occupant  of  the  room  a  little 
privacy,  a  wooden  partition  juts  out  half  way 


152  West  Point 

into  the  room  dividing  this  space  into  two  alcoves, 
in  which  are  placed  the  cots.  During  the  day 
the  mattresses  are  folded  and  upon  them  the 
bedding  is  piled.  Only  during  release  from 
quarters,  and  after  9:  oo  P.M.,  are  the  beds  allowed 
to  be  made  down  and  used.  Along  the  sides 
of  each  alcove  are  hooks  for  the  clothing,  which 
must  be  hung  in  a  prescribed  manner;  for  ex- 
ample, 1st  hook,  raincoat;  2dhook,  overcoats;  3d, 
sweater  coat,  and  so  on.  The  shoes  are  aligned 
toes  out,  along  the  side  of  the  bed,  in  a  definite 
order,  the  high  overshoes  as  right  guide,  then 
the  low  overshoes,  and  other  shoes  according  to 
height. 

Upon  the  top  of  the  clothespress  are  the  books, 
arranged  according  to  height,  newspapers,  period- 
icals, stationery,  cameras,  and  tobacco.  In  the 
shelf  section  each  of  the  various  articles  of  clothing 
has  a  prescribed  place,  and  in  the  coat  section  the 
uniforms  are  hung  in  a  regular  order.  Only 
on  the  top  shelf  of  the  clothespress  may  the  cadet 
keep  a  photograph. 

In  front  of  and  against  the  alcove  partition  is 
the  washstand  with  its  two  wash  bowls.  The 
water,  hot  and  cold,  is  drawn  from  a  hydrant  in  the 
hall.  This  arrangement  is  a  great  luxury  in  com- 
parison with  the  old  days  when,  to  heat  water  for 
shaving,  we  poured  it  over  a  joint  in  the  radiator. 

In  barracks  as  in  camp  there  is  a  room  orderly 
who  is  responsible  for  the  condition,  cleanliness, 
and  general  police  of  all  parts  of  the  room.  The 


Bending  the  Twig  153 

cadets  sweep  their  own  rooms  and  make  their  own 
beds.  The  halls  are  swept  by  the  civilian  police- 
men, who  also  scrub  periodically  the  floors  of  both 
rooms  and  halls.  By  Regulations,  cadets  are  not 
allowed  valets,  nor  are  they  permitted  to  own  an 
automobile,  horse,  or  dog. 

The  cadets  are  in  uniform,  of  course,  at  all  times. 
Every  detail  of  their  clothing  is  prescribed.  The 
collars,  for  example,  must  project  above  the  coat 
collar  just  one  eighth  of  an  inch,  and  a  like  dis- 
play of  cuff  is  required.  Only  certain  kinds  of 
shoes  may  be  worn,  and  certain  kinds  of  gloves 
both  for  drills  and  hops.  Although  not  prescribed 
by  Regulations,  a  custom  of  long  standing  among 
the  cadets  prohibits  the  plebes  from  wearing  their 
overcoats  with  the  end  of  the  capes  thrown  back 
over  the  shoulder,  nor  may  they  wear  lisle  thread 
gloves  to  chapel,  but  must  content  themselves  with 
the  thick,  coarse  Berlin  gun  glove.  The  lowered 
capes  of  the  plebes  give  them  an  air  of  humility 
alongside  of  the  upper-classmen,  and  the  gun 
gloves  accentuate  the  crudity  of  the  poor  plebe's 
military  appearance. 

The  day  is  filled  with  duties.  From  the  return 
of  the  Battalion  from  breakfast  until  8:00  A.M.,  is 
a  study  period.  From  8:00  A.M.  until  12:35 
P.M.,  the  different  classes  attend  recitations  in  the 
prescribed  courses,  or  perhaps  have  instruction 
in  gymnastic  exercises  or  in  riding.  Dinner 
comes  at  12:40  P.M.,  after  which  recitations  are 
held  until  3 : 50  p.  M.  In  the  fall  and  spring  drills 


154  West  Point 

commence  at  4 :  oo  P.M.,  followed  by  parade  at  5 : 30 
P.M.,  and  retreat  and  supper  at  6:30  P.M. 

Cadets  do  not  proceed  individually  to  their 
classrooms,  but  are  formed  in  the  area  of  barracks 
in  sections,  under  the  command  of  a  section 
marcher,  who,  after  reporting  to  the  officer  of 
the  day  any  absentees,  marches  his  men  to  their 
section  rooms. 

In  like  manner  there  is  a  meal  formation.  The 
Battalions  are  formed  in  front  of  barracks  and 
marched  by  the  two  senior  captains  to  the  Mess 
Hall.  Just  as  much  observance  to  step,  alignment, 
and  bearing  is  required  as  though  marching  to 
parade. 

Upon  entering  the  hall,  "  at  ease  "  is  commanded, 
whereupon  the  cadets  proceed  quietly  to  their 
places  at  table  and  remain  standing  back  of  their 
chairs  until  the  cadet  captain  commands:  "A 
Co,  take  seats. "  The  food  is  always  ready  so 
there  is  no  delay.  Thirty  minutes  are  allowed  for 
breakfast  and  supper,  and  forty  for  dinner. 

As  soon  as  seated,  cadets  begin  to  talk  and 
laugh.  The  only  restriction  upon  them  is  that 
they  must  conduct  themselves  at  mess  like  young 
gentlemen.  No  throwing  of  food  or  waste  is 
tolerated.  One  first-classman,  known  as  the  table 
commandant,  is  in  charge  of  each  table  and  is  held 
responsible  for  all  breaches  of  regulations  upon  the 
part  of  tLe  cadets  thereat. 

Civilian  waiters  bring  the  food  from  the  kitchen 
and  place  it  upon  the  table.  The  cadets  are  then 


Q 

11 

A  I 

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I     I 


s 


Bending  the  Twig  155 

required  to  help  themselves.  Custom  makes  the 
three  or  four  plebes  at  each  table  perform  the  most 
onerous  duties.  One  plebe,  known  as  the  "water 
corporal"  pours  the  water  and  milk.  Another, 
the  "meat  corporal,"  carves  the  "bone,"  and 
another,  the  "gunner,"  pours  the  coffee,  and 
exercises  a  general  supervision  over  the  supply. 
Their  duties  keep  them  very  busy,  for  the  upper- 
classmen  constantly  demand  food. 

The  life  at  the  Mess  Hall  is  replete  with  customs, 
and  the  vocabulary  of  the  cadets  filled  with  terms 
unintelligible  to  the  uninitiated.  Some  of  their 
customs  would  not  be  approved  in  polite  society 
but  would  be,  perhaps,  by  modern  efficiency. 
If,  for  example,  a  man  at  the  end  of  the  table  wishes 
more  water  or  milk,  bang!  goes  his  glass  on  the 
table  preliminary  to  its  flight  through  the  air  to 
the  outstretched  nervous  hands  of  the  "water 
corporal. "  The  plebe  eats  in  spasms,  so  to  speak, 
one  eye  on  his  food,  and  the  other  on  the  alert  for 
aerial  glasses. 

"How's  the  cow?"  yells  an  upper-classman, 
meaning  how  much  milk  is  in  the  pitcher. 

"Almost  dry,  sir!"  replies  the  plebe. 

"Milk  her  again!"  is  commanded  as  the  glass 
comes  speeding  down. 

Every  morning  the  "gunner"  who  sits  at  the  end 
of  the  table,  in  capacity  of  hostess,  so  to  speak, 
"sounds  off"  the  number  of  days  until  June. 
Instead  of  grace,  he  commences  the  meal,  "282 
days  until  June,  sir!"  On  the  30Oth,  2OOth,  looth 


156  West  Point 

day  before  June,  the  plebes  write  speeches  in  which 
they  are  allowed  great  latitude  in  satirizing  the 
upper-classmen.  The  yearling  who  has  been 
particularly  annoying  during  the  year  sees  all 
of  his  faults  held  up  to  ridicule,  but  he  must 
swallow  his  medicine  at  the  hands  of  the  plebe. 

It  is  a  real  treat  to  see  the  men  at  mess.  No 
melancholy  stillness  pervades  the  Mess  Hall. 
One  can  hardly  hear  himself  in  the  din  of  rattling 
dishes,  knives,  forks,  the  peals  of  laughter,  the 
roar  of  eight  hundred  voices  all  talking  at  once, 
punctuated  by  the  plebes  repeatedly  shrieking, 
"Bread!  please!"  or  whatever  they  want.  In 
beholding  them,  one  realizes  vividly  the  meaning 
of  the  expression  "teeming  with  life." 

Occasionally,  orders  are  read  in  the  Mess  Hall  by 
the  Adjutant.  It  would  seem  impossible  to  get  the 
attention  of  the  cadets,  but  when  he  commands : 

"Bat-tal-yon  .  .  .  at-ten-tion ! "  the  roar  almost 
instantly  subsides,  like  a  balloon  suddenly  pierced. 
A  wave  of  silence  engulfs  the  hall,  accentuated  at 
times  by  the  fall  of  a  fork  or  spoon  on  the  tiled 
floor.  Quietly  the  cadets  sit,  as  the  Adjutant 
reads  his  order,  on  "skins"  (delinquencies). 
There  are  no  soft  notes  in  his  tone.  They  are  all 
fortissimo  and  run  together  until  they  become 
"monotonous,"  like  the  hum  of  a  factory.  Some 
mischievous  cadet,  unable  to  bear  the  enforced 
inactivity,  enlivens  a  small  group  around  him  by 
stealthily  firing  a  bread  ball  at  an  unobserving 
neighbor. 


Bending  the  Twig  157 

Each  cadet  has  a  silver  napkin  ring  with  his 
name  and  class  inscribed  thereon.  At  graduation 
all  of  the  rings  are  melted  into  a  loving  cup  which  is 
given  to  the  member  of  the  class  who  has  the  first 
son.  This  child  is  known  as  the  '  *  Class  boy. ' ' 

Just  before  the  conclusion  of  the  meal  the  first 
captain  makes  an  inspection,  calls  the  Mess  Hall 
to  attention,  and  commands:  "ist  Battalion, 
rise."  The  cadets  file  out  quietly,  form  in  front 
of  the  Mess  Hall,  and  return  to  their  barracks. 

The  rooms  are  subjected  to  a  continual  series  of 
inspections.  First,  there  is  a  rather  superficial  in- 
spection by  the  subdivision  inspectors,  cadets  of  the 
First  Class,  twenty  minutes  after  reveille.  They 
give  the  rooms  a  coup  d'ceil  chiefly  to  see  that 
the  floors  have  been  swept  and  the  bedding  folded 
and  piled.  During  the  forenoon,  the  Tactical 
officer  in  charge  of  the  company  makes  a  careful 
survey  of  everything.  This  is  known  as  the 
"Tac"  inspection,  and  may  occur  any  time 
from  8:00  A.M.  to  n:oo  A.M.  Until  the  "Tac" 
makes  his  morning  visit  the  cadets  are  required 
to  wear  their  uniforms  buttoned.  The  majority 
of  the  cadets  sit  around  in  their  sweater  coats 
until  they  hear  the  authoritative  knock  of  the 
"Tac"  on  the  doors  of  the  first-floor  rooms.  They 
then  quickly  don  their  blouses  until  after  he  leaves, 
when  sweaters  are  again  brought  forth.  This 
time  is  a  study  period  and  it  is  almost  impossible 
to  concentrate  on  problems  that  make  you  feel 


158  West  Point 

like  tearing  your  hair,  when  dressed  in  a  tight- 
fitting  uniform. 

When  roommates  attend  morning  recitations  at 
different  periods,  the  first-hour  men  are  notified 
of  the  inspection  by  their  comrades  who  leave  the 
mirror  turned  to  the  wall  as  a  signal,  or,  sometimes, 
just  a  sign — "He  has."  Once  a  Tactical  officer 
with  a  sense  of  humor  traced  in  the  dust  across 
the  face  of  a  cadet's  mirror,  during  his  absence, 
"He  has." 

Upon  the  return  from  first -hour  recitations  the 
divisions  ring  with  shouts,  ' '  Has  he  ? "  ' '  Has  he  ? " 
mingled  with  the  cries  to  the  plebe  mail  carrier  of, 
"Mr.  Dumbguard,  has  the  mail?" 

After  dinner  the  officer  of  the  day  inspects  to  see 
that  the  cadets  are  not  visiting  and  that  the  rooms 
are  in  order.  During  the  evening  study  periods, 
from  about  7:30  to  9:30  P.M.,  the  cadet  sentinels 
posted  in  the  halls  of  barracks  inspect  three  times. 
They  open  the  doors  of  each  room,  inquiring, 
"All  right,  sir?"  whereupon  the  occupants  reply, 
"All  right,  sir!"  or  "Cadet  Ducrot  is  absent." 
The  reply  "All  right"  signifies  that  all  occupants 
are  present,  or  if  any  are  absent  that  their  absence 
is  authorized.  Any  cadet  who  intentionally  makes 
an  incorrect  report  is  dismissed  from  the  Academy. 

The  day  ends,  as  it  begins,  with  an  inspection 
of  the  subdivision  inspectors.  At  the  three  taps 
of  the  drum  in  the  Area,  cries  of  "Lights  out!"  fill 
the  air.  The  buildings  are  plunged  into  darkness 
except  for  a  dim  hall  light,  and  the  inspectors, 


Bending  the  Twig  159 

armed  with  bull's-eye  lanterns,  flit  through  the 
halls  like  nervous  fireflies.  Each  door  is  hurriedly 
opened ;  a  beam  of  light  seeks  first  one  bed  then  the 
next,  while  the  dark  form  on  the  threshold  calls  out 
sharply,  "All  in?"  "All  in,  sir!"  replies  the  room 
orderly  from  the  depths  of  the  alcove.  Bang! 
goes  the  door  and  the  shadow  disappears.  From 
all  the  divisions  the  fireflies  swarm  into  the  Area 
and  align  themselves  like  a  string  of  shining  beads 
in  front  of  the  officer  of  the  day  to  whom  they 
report. 

For  all  breaches  of  regulations  the  cadets  are 
reported,  "skinned"  in  their  parlance.  The  list 
of  delinquencies  is  read  out  at  retreat,  and  the  next 
morning  the  cadet  must  submit  a  written  explana- 
tion of  the  offense.  The  majority  of  the  reports 
are  for  minor  offenses,  such  as  lates,  absences,  in- 
attention, buttons  off  uniform,  and  so  on.  Ordina- 
rily, no  explanation  for  these  offenses  is  requested, 
although  the  cadet  has  a  right  to  offer  one  if  he  so 
desires.  The  more  serious  offenses,  however,  must 
be  explained. 

In  their  explanations  cadets  must  confine  their 
statements  to  plain  facts.  No  criticism  or  argu- 
mentation is  allowed.  Occasionally  some  wit 
transcends  the  limit  and  amuses  himself  for  the 
moment  at  the  expense  of  his  conduct  grade. 
Once  a  report  was  entered  against  a  cadet  for  hav- 
ing worn  his  night-shirt  to  the  Drawing  Academy. 
It  seems  that,  lacking  a  plain  white  shirt,  he  hastily 


160  West  Point 

donned  a  night-shirt,  stuffing  the  flowing  tails  in 
his  trousers.  He  was  betrayed,  however,  by  the 
blue  embroidery  down  the  front.  An  instructor, 
seeing  the  queer  garment,  reported  the  cadet.  Since 
he  had  been  obliged  to  attend  a  number  of  lectures 
in  drawing,  at  which  he  invariably  fell  asleep,  he 
submitted  the  following  facetious  explanation  to 
the  Commandant  of  Cadets: 

SIR: 

In  explanation  of  the  report  "  wearing  a  night- 
shirt to  the  Drawing  Academy  on  the  loth  inst. "  I 
have  the  honor  to  state  that  I  heard  that  there  was  to 
be  a  lecture  in  drawing;  consequently,  I  wore  my 
night-shirt. 

I  need  not  add  that  he  walked  a  number  of 
punishment  tours  for  his  wit. 

The  punishments  that  may  be  awarded  a  cadet 
are: 

(a)    Confinements;  that  is,  restriction  to  room 

during  release  from  quarters. 
Restriction  of  limits. 
Deprivation  of  privileges. 
Punishment  tours. 
Reprimands. 
Reduction  of  officers  or  non-commissioned 

officers  to  the  grade  of  private. 
Loss  of  furlough. 
(5)    Suspension. 
Dismissal. 


Bending  the  Twig  161 

Punishment  tours  are  of  one-hour  duration,  dur- 
ing which  time  the  cadet  walks  an  assigned  beat. 
On  Wednesday  and  Saturday  afternoons  the  Area 
is  filled  with  cadets  walking  to  and  fro,  like  pendu- 
lums, each  tracing  in  the  gravel  a  little  path.  They 
resemble  in  their  animation  the  goings  and  comings 
of  a  colony  of  ants.  No  cadet  enjoys  walking 
tours.  It  is  viewed  as  a  particularly  disagreeable 
punishment,  much  worse  than  serving  a  confine- 
ment in  one's  room,  where  he  may  "bone  fiction, " 
chasing  away  the  gloom  of  imprisonment  with 
some  interesting  book.  In  the  winter  months 
the  chill  and  snow  fill  their  thoughts  and  hearts 
as  they  pace  to  and  fro,  beating  their  hands  to- 
gether for  warmth.  But  it  is  in  the  autumn  and 
spring  when  the  athletic  contests  with  outside 
teams  take  place  that  the  misery  of  walking  tours 
becomes  terribly  acute.  The  cheering  of  the 
fortunate  cadets  witnessing  the  games  is  like  some 
magnet  which  draws  and  draws.  The  longing 
must  be  resisted  and  stifled  while  they  continue 
upon  their  monotonous  walk,  chained  to  an 
inexorable  task. 

The  work  demanded  of  a  cadet  is  hard,  but 
without  the  restrictions,  obstacles,  the  petty 
annoyances,  the  young  plebe  that  comes  to  West 
Point  so  plastic  and  yielding  would  never  grow  and 
develop.  At  first  the  limitations  that  surround 
him  baffle  and  bewilder  him  for  a  time,  but  as  the 
days  pass  by  and  he  begins  to  be  imbued  with  the 
spirit  of  the  Corps,  and  to  feel  the  traditions  and 


1 62  West  Point 

atmosphere  of  West  Point,  he  insensibly  rises 
superior  to  every  annoying  restriction.  He  may 
indulge  in  occasional  grumbling  and  ill-humor  but 
what  of  that?  He  knows  now  that  a  reason  exists 
for  every  obstacle,  and  he  sees  in  the  hardships 
a  way  that  leads  to  the  development  of  his  higher 
self.  His  moral  force  is  gradually  crystallized 
and  he  gains  the  spirit  of  willingness  to  do  his 
duty  toward  the  Academy  and  his  little  bit  in  keep- 
ing strong  the  spirit  of  West  Point. 

The  main  idea  of  West  Point  after  all  is  to  de- 
velop the  mind  and  character  of  the  cadet,  to  instill 
into  him  the  proper  ideas  of  discipline.  It  does 
not  aim  for  a  discipline  where  a  man's  spirit  or  will 
is  broken,  so  that  he  obeys  through  fear,  but  a 
discipline  of  the  soul,  wherein  a  cadet  performs 
his  duty  for  the  deed's  sake.  Without  this  high 
moral  spirit,  no  army  can  be  successful,  despite 
the  most  brilliant  galaxy  of  officers. 


CHAPTER  VII 

THE    DISCIPLINE    OF    THE   MIND 

HPHE  longer  a  cadet  remains  at  West  Point, 
1  the  clearer  and  finer  becomes  his  point  of 
view.  During  the  first  few  months  of  his  career, 
a  glimpse  of  which  we  had  in  the  previous  chapter, 
he  is  so  busy  learning  the  mechanism  of  the  drills, 
the  care  of  his  person  and  equipment,  and  familiar- 
izing himself  with  all  of  the  strange  names  and 
unusual  customs  of  military  life  that  his  point  of 
view  is  more  or  less  clouded. 

Little  by  little,  during  the  summer  encampment, 
as  soon  as  the  newness  of  his  surroundings  begins  to 
wear  away,  he  finds  himself  undergoing  a  change  of 
heart ;  he  experiences  a  new'  feeling  and  appreci- 
ation of  his  work  and  a  sort  of  exhilaration  of 
discovering  the  progress  that  he  is  making  in  his 
daily  tasks.  For  example,  instead  of  going  out  to 
parade  in  a  dazed  and  mechanical  manner,  he 
marches  forth  filled  with  pride  that  he  is  really 
a  member  of  so  elite  a  Corps.  He  strives  to  do  his 
bit  with  all  his  might.  He  lends  a  close  attention  to 
all  commands  so  that  no  act  of  his  will  mar  the 
appearance  of  his  company,  and  does  his  utmost  to 

163 


i64  West  Point 

assume  the  correct  position  of  a  soldier  that  is 
incessantly  dinned  into  his  ears  by  the  ever  alert 
file  closers.  He  feels  that  he  is  changing,  but  does 
not  understand  just  how.  In  reality  his  point 
of  view  is  swinging  around,  it  is  clearing  up,  and 
the  new  cadet  is  beginning  to  be  animated  with  the 
spirit  of  West  Point. 

The  scales  seem  to  drop  from  his  eyes.  He  is  no 
longer  concerned  so  completely  with  his  troubles 
and  difficulties,  with  his  inability  to  get  into  his 
white  trousers  without  mussing  them  badly,  with 
his  capacity  for  doing  " wooden*'  things,  or  with 
all  of  the  thousand  and  one  little  heartburns  for 
things  done  and  left  undone. 

On  the  contrary,  the  incidents  of  his  surround- 
ings that  are  unrelated  to  himself  begin  to  interest 
him.  With  quiet  amusement  he  watches  the  antics 
of  the  yearlings,  envying  them  their  careless 
nonchalant  air.  His  heart  goes  out  in  sympathy 
to  some  fellow  plebe  who  has  just  incurred 
the  displeasure  of  an  upper- classman.  He  secretly 
admires  the  military  bearing  of  the  cadet  officers, 
the  fit  of  their  blouses,  their  erect  and  graceful 
carriage.  To  him  they  represent  the  ideal  in  the 
flesh  toward  which  he  is  striving.  There  is  a 
certain  something  about  the  manner  in  which 
they  perform  their  duties  that  inspires  the  plebe 
to  extra  efforts.  In  the  hope  of  receiving  a  word 
of  praise  from  the  cadet  captain  at  inspection 
before  parade,  an  extra  rub  is  given  to  the  rifle 
or  breastplate,  and  more  care  is  taken  in  climbing 


The  Discipline  of  the  Mind       165 

into  those  stiff  white  trousers.  He  listens  with  the 
greatest  interest  to  the  chatter  about  the  approach- 
ing Academic  term  and  accepts  with  gratitude  the 
counsels  sometimes  offered  him  by  the  cadet 
captain. 

As  the  camp  draws  to  a  close,  not  only  the  cap- 
tain but  all  of  the  upper-classmen  give  the  plebe 
gratuitous  advice  about  the  coming  Academic 
year.  At  every  formation  while  awaiting  the 
sounding  of  the  assembly,  little  groups  gather  in 
the  company  streets  and  interrogate  the  plebes 
as  to  their  previous  mental  training.  A  note  of 
restlessness  begins  to  pervade  the  camp  as  the 
month  of  September  draws  nigh.  Once  again  the 
books  must  be  taken  down  from  the  shelves  and 
hours  of  study  devoted  to  the  solution  of  problems. 

The  plebe  views  the  close  of  the  camp  with  a 
sigh  of  relief  mingled  with  not  a  little  anxiety.  It 
is  true  that  he  is  glad  to  get  into  barracks  where 
he  will  have  a  little  more  personal  liberty,  and 
be  free  from  the  incessant  drilling,  drilling.  On 
the  other  hand,  the  opening  of  the  Academic  year 
fills  him  with  some  misgivings  about  his  ability 
to  master  the  studies  and  fulfill  his  ambition  to  be- 
come an  officer. 

Before  he  is  really  aware  of  the  flight  of  the  days, 
September  the  first  has  arrived.  He  leaves  the 
life  of  camp  where  almost  the  entire  day  has  been 
devoted  to  military  exercises  of  one  sort  or  another 
and  plunges  into  the  Academic  work.  A  new 
sort  of  life  begins  and  the  routine  of  the  day 


i66  West  Point 

is  readjusted.  With  determination  he  sets  out  to 
climb  the  stony  path  of  knowledge  that  alone  will 
lead  him  to  his  commission.  The  branch  of  the 
service  that  he  will  eventually  select  is  as  yet 
unknown  to  him,  but  as  he  proceeds  in  his  career 
at  the  Academy  he  will  have  a  taste  of  the  duties 
of  each  arm,  and  he  will  later  on  be  able  to  choose 
his  branch  with  intelligence. 

The  beauty  about  the  West  Point  system  of 
training  officers  is  that  it  educates  them  for  all 
branches  of  the  Army,  for  the  line  and  for  the  staff. 
When  a  man  graduates,  he  is  assigned  either  to 
the  Corps  of  Engineers,  the  Ordnance,  Artillery, 
Cavalry,  or  Infantry  according  to  his  choice  based 
on  his  class  standing.  The  highest  men  usually 
select  the  Corps  of  Engineers,  although  it  is  not 
unusual  for  a  man  who  is  recommended  for  the 
Engineers  by  the  Academic  Board  to  choose  some 
branch  of  the  mobile  Army. 

The  curriculum  to  which  our  young  cadet  must 
devote  nine  months  of  the  year  is  highly  scientific 
and  technical.  The  corner-stone  of  the  course  is 
mathematics,  and  the  great  mass  of  the  structure 
is  made  up  of  the  exact  sciences.  Primarily, 
the  curriculum  is  designed  to  give  the  cadet  a  lib- 
eral education  and  to  turn  out  a  man  with 
sharpened  mental  processes.  It  does  not  lay  the 
greatest  emphasis  upon  the  training  of  cadets  in 
the  practical  duties  that  pertain  to  any  particular 
arm  or  corps.  The  reasons  for  this  are  very  sound. 

It  is  the  belief  of  all  officers  who  have  given  the 


The  Discipline  of  the  Mind       167 

question  of  military  education  any  thoughtful 
study  that  the  first  requisite  of  any  army  is  a  corps 
of  officers  trained  in  the  essentials  of  their  pro- 
fession. What  really  does  this  mean?  It  simply 
means  that  officers  of  the  Army  should  be  well 
educated  men,  not  only  those  who  are  to  go  into 
the  technical  branches  such  as  the  Engineers  and 
the  Ordnance,  but  the  line  officers  as  well.  The 
authorities  at  West  Point  have  therefore  developed 
a  broad  scientific  course,  fully  convinced  that  the 
mental  discipline,  powers  of  investigation,  and 
accurate  reasoning  necessary  in  solving  problems 
in  the  exact  sciences  are  the  same  mental  quali- 
ties that  are  needed  whether  in  planning  a  great 
campaign,  building  a  Panama  Canal,  or  fighting 
the  savage  Moro  in  the  distant  Philippines. 

The  advisability  of  giving  all  cadets,  those 
destined  for  the  line  as  well  as  for  the  staff,  the 
same  education  has  been  questioned  more  than 
once.  As  long  ago  as  1843,  a  Board  of  Officers, 
of  which  General  Scott  was  president,  made 
certain  criticisms  of  the  course  of  instruction.  It 
is  interesting  to  quote  the  answer  made  by  the 
Academic  Board,  for  the  ideas  set  forth  therein 
express  in  general  the  opinions  held  today: 

The  Academic  Board  believes  that  one  of  the  most 
important  objects  of  the  Academy  is  to  subject  each 
cadet,  previous  to  his  promotion  to  a  higher  grade  in 
the  Army,  to  a  thorough  course  of  mental  as  well  as 
military  discipline  to  teach  him  to  reason  readily  and 


168  West  Point 

accurately  to  apply  right  principles  to  cases  of  daily 
occurrence  in  the  life  of  a  soldier.  They  are  satisfied 
that  a  strict  course  of  mathematical  and  philosophical 
study,  with  applications  to  the  various  branches  of 
military  science,  is  by  far  the  best  calculated  to  bring 
about  this  end,  and  that  the  present  scientific  course 
at  the  Academy,  the  result  of  the  experience  of  many 
years,  is  in  its  main  feature  such  a  course. 

They  are  aware  that  many  of  the  cadets,  as  is  the 
case  with  most  of  those  who  pursue  a  scientific  course 
at  other  institutions,  will  have  little  occasion  to  make 
practical  applications  of  the  many  mathematical 
problems  that  they  meet,  and  that  they  may  have 
passed  over  certain  problems  without  thoroughly  un- 
derstanding their  meaning  in  all  their  points.  Still,  if 
the  course  has  been  thoroughly  taught,  the  reasoning 
faculties  will  have  been  strongly  exercised  and  dis- 
ciplined and  a  system  of  habit  and  thought  acquired 
which  is  invaluable  in  the  pursuit  of  any  profession, 
and  as  desirable  for  the  infantry  or  dragoon  officer 
as  for  any  other  officer  in  the  service.  The  officer 
whose  mind  has  thus  been  disciplined  and  who  is  not 
forgetful  of  the  duty  he  owes  to  the  government  that 
has  furnished  him  with  opportunities  so  valuable,  will 
acquire  facts  and  information  in  whatever  station  the 
interests  of  the  service  may  place  him.  This  discipline 
and  system  he  will  learn  at  an  early  age  only,  and 
nowhere  so  well  as  during  his  term  of  service  at  the 
Academy. 

In  recent  years,  strong  influences  have  been 
brought  to  bear  on  the  Academy  to  change  the 
course  so  as  to  make  it  more  practical.  The 


The  Discipline  of  the  Mind       169 

advocates  of  this  change  ignore  the  ends  toward 
which  West  Point's  course  works,  heretofore 
successfully,  and  desire  to  see  cadets  leave  West 
Point  with  what  they  call  a  practical  knowledge  of 
the  different  arms.  This  means  that  they  wish 
the  graduated  cadet  to  join  his  regiment  well 
versed  in  the  routine  work  of  the  Army,  and  would 
have  West  Point  take  precious  time  from  mental 
training  to  teach  a  more  complete  knowledge 
of  the  mechanism  of  the  drills.  If  West  Point 
followed  this  advice,  the  graduated  cadet  would 
have  a  difficult  road  in  solving  the  big  problems 
that  will  arise  in  his  career.  If  in  the  West  Point 
course  emphasis  were  laid  upon  the  practical 
work  rather  than  upon  the  intellectual  training, 
then  the  cadet  would  simply  be  storing  up  know- 
ledge instead  of  learning  how  to  think.  When 
therefore  any  situation  would  arise,  the  tendency 
would  be  to  make  a  requisition  upon  the  store- 
house for  a  solution.  If  there  is  no  similar  situ- 
ation tucked  away  on  the  shelves  of  memory,  that 
will  serve  as  a  guide,  he  will  in  many  cases  be  at 
a  loss  how  to  proceed.  Not  so,  however,  if  his 
mind  has  been  trained  correctly.  He  will  work 
out  his  own  solution. 

Many  people  believe  that  the  .whole  science 
of  the  military  profession  is  embraced  in  a  book  of 
drill  regulations  whose  practical  demonstration  on 
the  drill  and  parade  grounds  constitutes  all  that  is 
necessary  to  make  a  successful  officer.  They  do 
not  realize  that  battles  are  won  first  with  the  brain 


170  West  Point 

and  then  with  the  sword.  They  rather  regard  the 
work  of  officers  much  the  same  as  manual  labor 
that  anyone  can  do,  and  they  do  not  admit  that 
any  great  amount  of  mental  training  for  the 
officers  is  necessary. 

I  do  not  wish  to  give  the  impression  that  there  is 
no  practical  training  at  the  Academy — far  from  it. 
But  I  am  glad  to  say  that  it  has  been  allotted  its 
proper  place  in  the  course.  Once  the  theory  is 
mastered,  the  practical  is  quickly  learned  after- 
wards. Any  cadet  with  a  trained  mind  can  readily 
learn  the  practical  duties  that  may  be  demanded 
of  him  as  an  officer. 

It  is  an  astonishing  fact  that  I  have  heard  West 
Point  methods  criticised  in  the  Army  because 
a  young  graduate  upon  joining  his  regiment  did 
not  know  how  to  make  out  a  morning  report !  Why 
should  he?  The  fact  that  any  boy  of  average 
intelligence  can  learn  to  make  one  out  in  fifteen 
minutes  should  be  a  complete  answer  to  all  de- 
mands that  cadets  should  be  taught  these  trivi- 
alities at  the  Academy. 

The  criticism  leveled  at  West  Point  by  officers 
of  the  Army  is  unjust.  Older  officers  expect  too 
much  of  the  graduated  cadet.  I  have  noticed  that 
they  demand  of  these  young  men,  immediately 
upon  joining,  the  same  mature  conception  and 
efficient  execution  of  certain  duties  as  they  them- 
selves are  able  to  display  only  after  years  of 
experience. 

Upon  graduation  from  West  Point,  I  dare  say 


The  Discipline  of  the  Mind       171 

that  there  is  no  more  highminded,  well-trained,  and 
efficient  body  of  young  men  in  the  world.  The 
graduates  join  their  commands  brimming  over  with 
youth,  intelligence,  enthusiasm,  and  energy  and 
ruled  by  intense  loyalty.  They  want  to  do  what  is 
right.  They  want  to  go  forward  in  their  profession. 
They  make  every  effort  to  perform  well  their 
duties.  All  that  they  need  are  leaders  among  their 
superiors  who  will  develop  their  aspirations. 
Sometimes  they  encounter  a  distinct  air  of  hostility, 
occasionally  a  petty  attitude  on  the  part  of  some 
older  officers  whose  one  ambition  is  to  "put  them 
in  their  place, "  and,  too  frequently,  simply  indiffer- 
ence. The  result  is  that  the  young  officers  quickly 
become  a  prey  to  the  red  tape,  the  dull  routine,  the 
narrowness  of  post  life,  or  to  the  mental  inertia 
of  prolonged  duty  upon  the  border  where  almost 
every  stimulating  influence  is  absent.  If  only 
there  were  enough  good  leaders  to  take  this  wonder- 
ful material  that  the  Academy  sends  forth  annu- 
ally and  develop  it,  there  is  no  telling  to  what 
heights  these  young  officers  would  rise. 

But  to  return  to  our  plebe  who  makes  his  debut 
in  Academic  work  September  the  first.  The 
evening  before  has  been  spent  in  earnest  prepar- 
ation for  the  lesson  in  mathematics,  and  he  sets 
forth  on  this  early  autumn  day  to  grapple  with  the 
hardest  study  of  his  course. 

First  call  for  recitation  is  sounded  at  seven 
minutes  before  eight  o'clock.  The  trumpeter,  an 
enlisted  man  of  the  Army,  blows  " school  call" 


172  West  Point 

first  in  the  area  of  barracks,  then  outside  of  the 
north  sally-port,  on  the  Plain  side  of  the  buildings. 
The  call  is  repeated  several  times,  and  as  its  notes 
float  out  on  the  air,  the  barracks  begin  to  disgorge 
the  cadets,  sometimes  singly,  but  more  often  in 
groups  of  twos  and  threes.  The  more  prompt  ones 
pile  out  on  the  cement  walk,  standing  near  their 
places  in  the  ranks  to  await  the  assembly.  The 
majority  are  laughing  and  talking  or  discussing  the 
lesson,  while  others,  thirsting  for  knowledge  until 
the  last,  keep  their  noses  in  their  books.  Their 
comrades  sometimes  tease  them,  calling  them 
"tenth-boners"  in  good-natured  derision,  or  steal 
up  behind  them  and  shut  their  books  for  them 
saying,  "  Oh,  come  off  spec-ing  tenths,"  which 
means  to  desist  from  studying  at  the  last  moments 
to  better  the  mark. 

At  one  minute  before  assembly  the  cadet  officer 
of  the  day,  a  straight  young  man  in  a  red  sash  and 
red  crossbelt  (bound  up,  as  Patsy  O'Hara  of 
1904  wittily  remarked,  in  his  official  red  tape), 
takes  his  post  in  the  center  of  the  area  and  com- 
mands :  '  *  Form  your  sections ! '  ' 

Instantly  books  are  slammed,  all  noises,  talking, 
laughing,  skylarking,  cease,  and  the  scattered  gray 
figures  seem  to  magically  form  themselves  into 
compact  little  squads  under  the  direction  of  their 
section  marchers  who  stand  out  in  front  counting 
them.  The  door  of  the  Guardhouse  opens  and  the 
O.  C.  (officer  in  charge)  appears  upon  the  "poop 
deck,"  stern,  implacable,  almost  sphinx-like,  and 


The  Discipline  of  the  Mind       173 

surveys  coldly  the  formation.  For  the  brief 
space  of  a  few  seconds  all  is  quiet  except  for  the 
occasional  shuffling  of  a  section  that  has  mis- 
judged its  proper  space.  Then  the  trumpeter 
sounds  the  assembly.  A  few  belated  men  are 
tearing  to  their  places  in  ranks,  running  a  race 
with  the  fading  notes  of  the  trumpet  and  land- 
ing bang!  into  the  rear  rank  just  in  time  to 
keep  from  being  reported  absent.  The  kind- 
hearted  trumpeter  often  takes  a  deeper  breath 
(especially  in  winter  when  he  sees  the  belated 
ones  recklessly  dashing  across  the  icy  walks), 
and  holds  on  to  those  last  notes  of  assembly  in  a 
way  that  was  never  intended  by  the  composer. 
God  bless  him! 

Meanwhile  the  instructors  are  in  the  section 
rooms  awaiting  the  arrival  of  their  classes.  Here 
and  there  in  the  windows  of  the  rooms  facing 
the  area  is  an  instructor  gazing  upon  this  class 
formation  that  is  the  same  today  as  it  was  years 
ago,  and  that  awakens  in  him  a  flood  of  memories 
of  his  own  cadet  days  when  he  too  set  out  to  recite 
to  an  instructor  who  never  seemed  quite  human. 
As  he  looks  at  the  cadets  forming,  he  realizes 
how  distinctly  the  institution  creates  its  types, 
and  he  is  able  to  pick  out  certain  individuals  and 
say  to  himself: 

"There  goes  so  and  so  of  my  class!" 
The  great  charm  of  West  Point  is  that  so  many 
things  never  change.     Some  of  the  cadets,  sons  of 
graduates,  are  doing  exactly  as  their  fathers  did  at 


174  West  Point 

their  age,  and  again  a  few  cadets  are  reacting  the 
youth  of  their  grandfathers. 

While  the  instructor  is  watching  the  cadets  in 
the  area,  the  section  marcher  reports  to  the 
officer  of  the  day  all  absentees  in  his  section  which 
he  then  marches  off  to  the  Academic  Building. 
On  the  sections  come  in  military  formation  straight 
to  the  classroom  door.  The  halls  of  the  building 
resound  to  the  tramping  of  many  feet  as  the  cadets 
march  along  with  muffled  tread,  thanks  to  Of Sulli- 
van rubber  heels  that  are  fitted  to  every  pair  of 
shoes.  When  opposite  the  classroom  door  the 
section  marcher  commands: 

"Section  halt!    Fallout!'1 

The  cadets  hang  up  their  caps  in  the  hall,  file 
into  the  room,  and  stand  rigidly  at  attention  behind 
their  desks.  The  section  marcher  enters,  closes 
the  door,  takes  his  position  in  the  center  of  the 
room  facing  the  instructor,  salutes,  and  reports: 

"Sir,  all  are  present,"  or  "Cadet  Ducrot  is 
absent." 

Mr.  Ducrot  now  makes  his  acquaintance  with 
Mathematics,  the  study  that  determines  more 
than  any  other  his  standing  at  West  Point.  From 
the  day  that  he  commences  his  studies  he  feels 
that  he  must  devote  the  greater  amount  of  time  to 
this  subject,  and  with  reason.  A  perusal  of  the 
tables  of  instruction  shows  that  the  greater  pro- 
portion of  time  and  weight  is  allotted  to  the 
mathematical  studies.  The  total  amount  of  time 
provided  for  in  the  course  of  instruction,  including 


The  Discipline  of  the  Mind       175 

riding  and  gymnasium,  is  192,900  minutes.  If 
gymnasium  and  riding  are  deducted  (11,205  and 
10,860  minutes,  respectively)  there  are  left  170,835 
minutes  devoted  to  Academic  work.  Of  this 
amount  the  pure  mathematical  subjects  are  al- 
lotted 76,555  minutes,  and  the  non-mathematical 
subjects,  94,280  minutes. 

These  figures  represent  the  time  that  is  actually 
spent  in  the  recitation  work.  To  give  an  accurate 
idea  of  the  draught  of  these  subjects  upon  the 
cadet's  time,  however,  we  should  estimate  the 
amount  of  time  required  for  preparation  plus 
the  time  spent  in  the  section  room.  The  lessons 
are  so  assigned  that  these  preparations  take  the 
average  cadet  twice  the  time  allotted  to  the 
recitation.  Thus,  in  subjects  having  an  hour 
and  twenty-five  minute  recitations,  the  average 
cadet  is  expected  to  spend  two  hours  and  fifty 
minutes  in  preparation ;  and  in  subjects  having  one 
hour  periods,  two  hours  of  preparation.  Practical 
Surveying  and  Drawing  are  subjects  for  which  no 
preparation  is  required. 

Adding  the  preparation  time  to  the  recitation 
time  we  find  the  total  relative  amounts  of  time  as 
follows : 

Mathematical  Subjects.     Non- Mathematical  Subjects. 

76,555  94,280 

136,940  145,440 


213,495  239,720 


176  West  Point 

The  time  devoted  to  mathematical  subjects  is 
divided  among  only  five  departments,  whereas  the 
time  divided  among  non-mathematical  subjects 
is  divided  among  nine  departments.  Again,  each 
subject  is  weighted  and  the  five  mathematical 
subjects  have  almost  as  many  units  as  the  nine 
non-mathematical  subjects.  Out  of  the  2325 
units  required  for  graduation  (leaving  out  of 
account  the  200  allotted  to  conduct)  the  five 
mathematical  departments  have  1065  and  the 
nine  other  departments  have  1260.  It  is  no 
wonder  that  Mr.  Ducrot  wishes  to  make  an  auspi- 
cious beginning  in  a  study  that  is  so  important  to 
his  future  career.  The  conduct  of  the  recitation 
that  he  attends  for  the  first  time  is  about  the 
same  in  every  department.  In  Mathematics, 
which  is  an  exact  science,  the  system  is  perhaps  a 
little  more  rigid  than  in  some  of  the  non-mathe- 
matical departments. 

As  soon  as  the  cadets  have  taken  their  seats 
the  instructor  asks : 

"Are  there  any  questions  on  the  lesson?" 

The  cadets  are  then  at  liberty  to  ask  for  an  ex- 
planation of  any  part  of  the  lesson  that  they  have 
not  been  able  to  comprehend.  The  officer  uses 
his  judgment  as  to  the  amount  of  time  to  be  thus 
consumed.  Sometimes  he  will  take  up  half 
the  recitation  period  to  clear  up  the  obscurities 
of  the  lesson,  but  if  he  has  one  of  the  lower  sections 
he  sometimes  has  to  be  on  his  guard,  for  the  cadets 
on  the  days  of  hard  lessons  astutely  ask  many 


The  Discipline  of  the  Mind       177 

questions  in  order  to  consume  the  recitation  period. 
I  know  one  officer  who  always  outwitted  these 
youthful  diplomats  when  they  attempted  to  stave 
off  the  recitation.  He  would  begin  speaking  so 
rapidly  that  no  one  could  interrupt: 

' '  Any  questions-pages-one-two  -  three  -  four  -  too- 
late-close-your-books.  Mr.  Ducrot-take-the-first- 
front-board. " 

Each  cadet  is  sent  to  the  blackboard  with  an 
enunciation,  that  is,  some  phase  of  the  lesson  to 
discuss,  or  perhaps  the  instructor  may  question  a 
few  men.  The  cadet  writes  his  name  on  the  board 
in  the  upper  right-hand  corner  and  proceeds  to 
place  upon  the  slate  enough  data  to  assist  him 
in  his  recitation.  In  Mathematics,  he  solves  his 
problem;  in  other  subjects  the  topic  that  he  will 
develop  orally. 

As  soon  as  the  cadet  is  ready  to  recite  he  takes  a 
pointer  in  his  hand  and  faces  the  instructor  and 
stands  at  attention  until  called  upon.  In  order 
to  test  thoroughly  the  cadet's  reasoning  powers 
the  instructor  will  sometimes  lead  him  on  along  a 
false  path,  practically  making  the  recitation  him- 
self, saying: 

''Is  not  that  so?"  and  again,  "Is  that  not  so?" 

To  which  the  lad,  if  not  thoroughly  sure  of  him- 
self, will  be  betrayed  into  replying : 

"Yes,  sir!"     "Yes,  sir!" 

Finally  when  the  deduction  has  been  rendered 
ridiculous,  the  officer  will  sharply  say: 

' '  That  is  perfectly  absurd. ' *    The  cadet  receives 


1 78  West  Point 

a  lesson  that  he  does  not  forget.  Once  or  twice 
as  a  cadet  I  was  in  this  position  and  I  know  the 
feeling. 

After  each  cadet  is  heard,  he  is  given  other 
problems  with  which  to  wrestle  while  the  other 
cadets  are  reciting.  When  a  principle  of  particular 
importance  is  to  be  demonstrated,  all  of  the  cadets 
are  required  to  face  about  and  give  their  close 
attention  in  order  that  they  may  all  benefit  from 
the  instruction. 

During  a  recitation  a  visit  may  be  expected 
at  any  time  from  the  Professor  or  Head  of  the 
Department.  Upon  his  entrance,  the  cadets  all 
rise  and  stand  at  attention  until  they  are  told  to 
proceed  with  their  work. 

The  Professor  either  listens  to  the  cadets 
recite  or  conducts  the  recitation  himself.  The 
recitation  continues  until  the  bugler  blows  the 
"Recall"  in  the  area.  What  a  welcome  sound  is 
this  to  those  few  who  have  spent  the  hour  at  the 
board,  without  reciting,  vainly  staring  at  the  blank 
slate  in  the  hope  of  drawing  some  inspiration  from 
its  cold  surface!  They  have  been  "bugling," 
waiting  for  the  bugle  to  sound  "  Recall."  They 
quickly  drop  chalk,  eraser,  pointer,  and  joyfully 
file  out  of  the  room  exchanging  with  their 
co-conspirators  sympathetic  smiles,  and  sur- 
reptitiously "rubbing  their  bellies,"  as  a  sign  of 
excessive  joy. 

The  instructor  at  West  Point  has  one  great  ad- 
vantage over  his  fellow  instructors  in  the  colleges. 


The  Discipline  of  the  Mind       179 

His  time  is  not  occupied  with  trifling  on  the  part 
of  the  students.  The  cadets  are  so  thoroughly 
disciplined  by  the  Tactical  Department  that 
their  deportment  in  class  is  irreproachable.  It 
is  very  rare  that  the  recitation  is  interrupted  to 
make  corrections  other  than  academic.  The 
cadets  are  held  to  a  high  standard  of  discipline 
all  the  time.  In  class  they  are  not  permitted  to 
communicate  with  one  another,  but  they  talk  freely 
with  the  instructor  about  points  in  the  lesson. 

So  much  for  the  actual  recitation,  the  conduct 
of  which  seems  so  smooth  and  simple.  In  the 
background,  however,  there  is  an  admirable 
organization  that  strives  for  a  maximum  of 
efficiency  in  the  instruction. 

Every  department  consists  of  the  Professor  or 
Head  of  the  Department,  an  assistant  professor, 
and  the  requisite  number  of  instructors  which 
varies  with  the  size  of  the  classes.  In  the  Depart- 
ments of  Mathematics  and  Modern  Languages, 
each  of  which  instructs  two  classes,  the  Professor 
is  aided  by  an  associate  professor,  besides  the 
assistants. 

The  Professor  is  in  complete  control  of  his 
entire  department.  He  prepares  the  courses  of 
instruction,  recommends  the  adoption  of  new 
text-books,  or  abolition  of  those  in  use,  appor- 
tions the  work  among  his  instructors,  conducts 
and  supervises  the  conferences  of  his  instruc- 
tors, prepares  and  supervises  the  examination 
of  the  classes  pursuing  his  course,  is  responsible 


i8o  West  Point 

for  all  property  belonging  to  his  department, 
and  is  the  channel  through  which  must  pass  all 
reports  and  official  communications  relating  to 
departmental  affairs. 

In  nearly  all  of  the  departments  the  Professor 
is  able  to  standardize  the  instruction  of  the  cadets 
by  means  of  conferences  with  his  instructors. 
These  meetings  are  informal,  partaking  more  of 
the  nature  of  a  conversazione  in  which  the  Professor 
outlines  his  wishes  to  his  officers,  emphasizing  the 
points  of  the  lesson  that  he  wishes  brought  out. 
The  conferences  also  offer  to  the  instructors  the 
opportunity  to  make  suggestions  to  the  Head  of 
the  Department  in  regard  to  the  section-room 
work,  pointing  out  the  success  or  failure  of  certain 
features  of  the  previous  lesson. 

The  conferences  are  comparatively  recent  in  the 
scheme  of  instruction  at  the  Academy,  but  they 
are  of  great  value  to  the  officers.  The  result  is 
that  the  instructor  enters  the  section  room  with 
a  feeling  of  confidence  and  a  knowledge  that  his 
methods  are  approved  in  advance  by  his  immediate 
chief.  Moreover,  the  Professor  is  able  to  go 
from  one  section  room  to  another  and  find  that  the 
teaching  of  the  lesson  is  progressing  uniformly. 
I  have  always  considered  the  conference  feature 
the  greatest  aid  in  my  work  as  an  instructor,  for 
besides  the  profit  derived  from  the  Professor's  talk, 
there  is  always  a  constant  interchange  of  ideas,  of 
impressions,  or  perhaps  a  heated  argument  between 
the  officers,  all  of  which  stimulate  the  mind  and 


The  Discipline  of  the  Mind        181 

the  imagination,  and  sharpen  the  wits.  Further- 
more, these  meetings  tend  to  produce  harmony 
by  drawing  the  officers  together  in  a  common  cause. 
The  introduction  of  conferences  has  markedly 
changed  the  former  attitude  of  the  instructor 
toward  his  work,  so  that  instead  of  merely  hearing 
the  lesson  and  marking  the  cadet,  as  prevailed  too 
frequently  in  years  gone  by,  the  officer  is  inspired 
to  impart  a  maximum  of  knowledge  and  help  to  his 
student.  I  feel  sure  that  the  average  of  the  teach- 
ing is  rising  year  by  year,  due  in  large  measure 
to  the  intelligent  conduct  of  conferences  by  the 
various  professors  with  their  officer  assistants. 

In  addition  to  their  work  in  the  preparation 
and  teaching  of  the  daily  lessons,  instructors  are 
required  to  keep  the  record  of  the  cadets'  marks. 
For  this  purpose,  pasteboard  cards  properly  ruled 
for  the  days  of  the  week,  averages,  and  propor- 
tional parts  are  provided,  one  for  each  cadet. 
After  the  conclusion  of  the  day's  recitation  the 
mark  is  entered  by  the  instructor  on  the  cadet's 
card,  and  at  the  end  of  the  week,  all  of  the  marks 
are  transferred  to  a  weekly  report  that  each 
instructor  submits  for  the  cadets  under  his  charge. 
These  reports,  or  "tenth  sheets"  as  the  cadets 
call  them,  are  publicly  posted  in  glass  frames 
in  the  sally-port,  where  they  remain  for  one  week, 
during  which  time  the  cadets  are  at  liberty  to 
inspect  them.  In  this  manner,  a  cadet  can  always 
tell  exactly  what  progress  he  is  making,  whether 
deficient  or  proficient.  There  is  never  any  at- 


1 82  West  Point 

tempt  at  secrecy,  but,  on  the  contrary,  every 
facility  is  afforded  the  cadet  to  ascertain  his 
standing.  The  pasteboard  cards  form  the  perma- 
nent record  and  are  carefully  filed  in  the  depart- 
ment. 

The  weekly  reports  are  usually  posted  every 
Saturday  while  the  battalions  are  at  inspection. 
Immediately  upon  breaking  ranks,  what  a  scramble 
ensues  to  get  a  peep  at  the  result  of  the  week's 
work!  Struggling  cadets  elbow  and  crowd  one 
another  to  get  close  to  the  frames,  each  heart 
beating  in  anticipation  of  the  figures  that  mean 
for  some  success  and  for  others  failure.  The 
difference  of  perhaps  one  tenth  in  the  total  will 
sometimes  fill  the  lad  with  dejection  for  the  rest 
of  the  afternoon. 

No  one  is  deprived  of  the  privilege  of  consulting 
his  marks.  Even  those  cadets  serving  punish- 
ment, such  as  confinement  to  rooms,  can  obtain 
permission  to  inspect  the  reports.  More  often, 
however,  they  send  some  plebe  to  copy  the  marks 
for  them.  The  publicity  of  the  marking  has  an 
excellent  effect  upon  the  cadet,  for  he  knows  what 
each  man  in  his  section  accomplished  during  the 
week  and  sees  that  no  partiality  is  shown  nor 
injustice  done  by  the  instructor. 

The  scale  of  marking  that  is  used  at  West  Point 
was  introduced  when  Major  Sylvanus  Thayer 
was  Superintendent  in  1837.  Upon  this  scale  a 
perfect  recitation  receives  a  mark  of  3.0:  good 
is  represented  by  2.5;  indifferent  by  2.0;  bad,  1.5; 


The  Discipline  of  the  Mind       183 

imperfect,  i.o;  and  complete  failure  o.o.  The 
instructor  may  mark  as  close  as  a  tenth  giving  a 
2.8  or  a  2.1  or  a  1.4  as  the  recitation  merits. 

Since  the  marks  determine  a  cadet's  graduation 
standing  and  affect  his  whole  career  as  an  officer, 
they  naturally  are  given  by  him  no  little  consider- 
ation. Sometimes  I  think  that  the  cadets  give 
entirely  too  much  thought  to  attaining  a  good 
grade  rather  than  to  the  thorough  mastering 
of  the  subject;  that  is,  they  have  a  tendency  to 
develop  the  memory  at  the  expense  of  the  thinking 
functions.  As  I  have  explained  before  West 
Point  methods  are  strictly  opposed  to  such  a 
system,  and  the  departments  discourage  verbatim 
recitations.  The  marking  offers  many  difficulties 
at  an  institution  such  as  West  Point  because  a 
difference  of  a  few  hundredths  between  two  cadets' 
standing  will  alter  their  choice  of  a  branch  or  Corps 
and  affect  their  relative  promotion  by  years.  At 
colleges  and  universities  this  condition  does  not 
exist,  for  a  man's  standing  has  little  connection 
with  his  future  career. 

The  cadet  is  not  allowed  to  select  his  own  course, 
or  follow  his  own  inclinations  in  regard  to  the 
curriculum.  The  mental  diet  is  prescribed  and 
no  deviation  therefrom  is  permitted.  The  three 
broad  fundamentals  governing  the  Academic 
course  are :  first,  that  every  cadet  shall  take  every 
subject;  second,  that  before  advancement  every 
cadet  shall  be  proficient  in  every  subject;  and 
third,  that  every  cadet  must  recite  every  day. 


1 84  West  Point 

As  regards  the  above  principles  there  is,  of  course 
a  little  qualification  in  each,  sufficient  to  admit  of 
some  flexibility  in  application.  While  no  cadet 
is  permitted  to  elect  whether  or  no  he  will  take  a 
subject,  but  is  required  to  take  all  of  them,  still, 
some  of  the  more  advanced  cadets  go  further  in 
the  subjects.  In  nearly  every  department  the 
higher  men  have  advanced  or  special  courses. 

As  for  the  second  principle,  a  cadet  who  is 
deficient  in  any  one  subject  is  usually  dismissed. 
Occasionally,  however,  where  a  man  stands 
especially  well  in  all  of  his  studies  but  fails  in  one, 
he  may  be  conditioned  by  the  Academic  Board,  or 
in  some  cases  turned  back  to  join  the  next  class. 
Among  the  cadets,  he  becomes  known  as  a  "turn- 
back," a  name  that  usually  sticks  to  him,  but 
conveys  no  reproach  or  stigma. 

Again,  the  cadet  must  recite  every  day.  Owing 
to  the  small  section  of  ten  or  twelve  cadets  the 
instructor  is  ordinarily  able  to  hear  every  man,  so 
that  the  studies  must  be  prepared.  There  is  no 
such  thing  at  West  Point  as  a  "cut. "  Sometimes, 
due  to  the  lack  of  time,  the  instructor  may  not 
hear  a  few  of  the  cadets,  but  this  is  rare.  In  such 
a  case  the  cadet  does  not  get  a  mark  but  is  given 
what  is  colloquially  known  as  "stay-back, "  that  is, 
a  blank.  The  certainty  that  he  must  recite  every 
day  and  that  no  failure  can  be  hidden  obliges  each 
cadet  to  prepare  his  lesson  with  great  thorough- 
ness. The  effect  of  this  system  on  moral  character 
is  immediate.  It  inculcates  attention  to  duty, 


The  Discipline  of  the  Mind       185 

habits  of  study  and  thought,  and  pride  in  achieve- 
ment. 

At  West  Point  good  intellectual  performance  is  a 
duty  just  as  much  as  guard,  parade,  or  inspection, 
so  that  an  unsatisfactory  recitation  due  to  the 
cadet's  negligence  not  only  begets  a  bad  mark,  but 
not  infrequently  a  punishment.  Moreover,  since 
the  cadets  realize  that  their  final  standing  at 
graduation  permits  them  to  choose  their  branch 
of  the  service,  they  are  keen  to  do  their  very  best 
to  beat  the  other  fellows.  This  spirit  of  competi- 
tion is  fostered  by  transfers  of  cadets  from  one 
section  to  another  either  up  or  down,  according  to 
their  weekly  marks. 

Cadets  receive  individual  instruction  in  every 
subject.  No  man  can  therefore  hide  his  lack  of 
preparation  because  he  is  always  called  upon 
to  develop  some  phase  of  the  lesson.  At  the 
beginning  of  the  term,  the  Fourth  Classmen 
or  plebes  are  arranged  alphabetically  into  sections 
in  which  they  remain  for  about  six  weeks.  Then 
there  is  a  general  transfer  or  rearrangement  of 
sections  according  to  the  marks  made  during  this 
period.  The  top  man  in  each  section  is  the  section 
marcher.  Thereafter  cadets  rise  and  fall  in  the 
sections,  either  weekly  or  monthly  as  the  Pro- 
fessor wishes.  The  transfers  from  one  section 
to  another  are  a  great  stimulant  to  the  cadet. 
He  gets  the  reward  for  his  labor.  Sometimes, 
however,  in  spite  of  determined  efforts,  some  cadets 
lose  sections,  due  perhaps  to  a  lack  of  preparation 


1 86  West  Point 

prior  to  entrance;  others  go  down  through  laziness 
or  negligence. 

The  cadets  that  land  in  the  last  section  are 
known  as  "The  Goats"  (in  olden  days,  "The  Im- 
mortals"), usually  a  carefree  lot  who  never  worry 
until  the  examinations  roll  around.  They  are  a 
great  contrast  to  the  first  section  men  who 
"bone  tenths "  with  Prussian  thrift.  But  whether 
"Goats"  or  first  section  men  each  one  receives 
individual  instruction. 

Nor  are  the  cadets  who  are  low  in  their  studies 
deprived  of  extra  instruction.  When  Major-Gen- 
eral  Thomas  H.  Barry  was  Superintendent,  he  in- 
troduced a  system  permitting  cadets  to  receive, 
during  their  recreation  hours,  extra  instruction 
upon  any  back  lesson.  The  cadets  can  therefore 
overcome  the  obstacles  that  prevent  them  from 
going  forward  in  any  particular  study.  Due  to 
this  system,  many  a  cadet  has  been  saved  who 
otherwise  would  have  been  "found,"  simply  be- 
cause he  was  slow  and  had  not  had  time  to  digest 
his  lesson. 

It  is  in  the  lower  sections  chiefly  that  humorous 
incidents  occur  to  lighten  the  tension  of  the 
atmosphere.  As  an  instructor  in  French,  I  had 
many  a  chuckle  over  the  struggles  of  some  of  the 
Goats  to  master  the  tongue  of  la  douce  France. 
On  one  occasion  a  cadet  was  attempting  to  trans- 
late a  passage  in  the  reader.  His  efforts  were  futile. 
Few  of  the  words  meant  anything  to  him.  All  at 
once  he  came  to  the  proper  name  "Leopold,  Due 


The  Discipline  of  the  Mind       187 

d'Autriche. "  With  a  triumphant  gleam  at  me 
who  had  been  humiliating  him  with  embarrassing 
questions,  he  proudly  translated  the  phrase:  "The 
leopard,  the  duck,  and  the  ostrich. " 

On  another  occasion  there  was  in  the  section  a 
foreign  cadet  from  Venezuela  whose  acquaintance 
with  English  was  chiefly  limited  to  swear  words. 
While  translating  a  passage  in  French  in  the 
presence  of  the  Professor,  he  came  across  the  sen- 
tence :  Man  Dieu,  fai  laisse  tomber  le  vase.  Im- 
mediately he  began : 

"My  God " 

"Oh  no,  Mr.  Honduras,"  gently  interposed  the 
Professor. 

"Oh  Hell,"  he  began  once  more. 

"Dear  no,  Mr.  Honduras,  not  so  strong!" 
exclaimed  the  thoroughly  shocked  Professor.  But 
Honduras  understanding  (maliciously  I  thought) 
that  a  stronger  translation  was  wanted,  ventured 
once  more: 

" f {    i" 

Had  Honduras  been  a  little  American  boy,  I 
am  sure  that  the  Professor  would  have  made  him 
wash  out  his  mouth  with  soap. 

The  success  of  the  West  Point  system  is  largely 
due  to  several  unique  reasons.  In  the  first  place 
the  authorities  control  the  time  of  the  cadets  so 
completely  that  it  can  be  utilized  to  the  greatest 
advantage.  Again,  West  Point's  remoteness  from 
any  large  city  and  the  strict  regulations  that 
govern  the  privileges  of  the  cadet  remove  the 


1 88  West  Point 

many  temptations  that  consume  the  college  man's 
time.  To  the  same  extent,  the  mind  of  the  cadet 
is  not  diverted.  Every  effort  is  made  to  get  the 
maximum  mental  results  from  the  cadet's  labor. 
He  has  regular  hours  of  study,  plenty  of  exercise, 
a  judicious  amount  of  recreation,  and  good  whole- 
some food.  In  addition,  the  cadet  is  in  a  studious 
atmosphere.  No  opportunity  is  lost  to  impress 
upon  him  correct  habits  of  study. 

I  dare  say  that  at  no  other  institution  of  learning 
is  there  such  serious  preparation  of  the  lessons. 
The  cadet's  academic  day  contains  but  half  an 
hour  of  leisure  from  6:00  A.M.  to  10:00  A.M. 
except  during  the  extreme  cold  weather  when 
drills  are  suspended  the  cadets  have  two  hours 
in  the  afternoon.  All  during  the  day  therefore 
when  not  at  recitations,  riding,  or  gymnasium,  the 
cadets  are  studying,  and  the  long  study  period  is 
from  7 :  oo  to  9 : 30  P.M.  Although  prohibited  by 
Regulations,  many  men  study  after  taps,  especially 
those  low  in  the  class.  To  conceal  the  light  they 
hang  a  leg  of  their  trousers  over  the  electric  light, 
lowering  the  cord  until  it  almost  touches  the  table. 
Just  a  little  circle  of  light  shines  upon  the  book, 
and  not  enough  to  be  detected  from  without. 

West  Point  is  not  indifferent  to  the  performance 
of  its  students.  It  cannot  afford  to  be  less  exact- 
ing, but  it  has  a  powerful  leverage  over  other 
institutions  for  it  dangles  before  the  cadet's  view 
the  prize  of  a  commission  in  the  Regular  Army, 
a  career  in  an  honorable  profession. 


The  Discipline  of  the  Mind       189 

The  course  of  instruction  at  the  Military  Acad- 
emy develops  in  the  cadet  certain  traits  of  char- 
acter that  are  invaluable  to  him  in  a  profession 
where,  as  an  officer,  he  is  constantly  being  called 
upon  to  meet  all  sorts  of  contingencies,  to  exercise 
his  judgment,  and  to  make  decisions.  His  studies 
and  duties  broaden  his  mind,  make  him  self- 
reliant,  and  teach  him  self-control.  It  is  astound- 
ing to  see  the  results  obtained  by  the  system.  As 
a  proof  of  the  intellectual  product  of  the  Academy, 
I  shall  quote  the  following  table,  giving  the 
occupations  of  the  graduates  who  have  gone  into 
civil  life  where  they  have  measured  their  strength 
with  the  graduates  of  other  institutions  of  learning : 

President  of  the  United  States I 

President  of  the  Confederate  States i 

Presidential  candidates 3 

Vice- Presidential  candidates 2 

Members  of  the  Cabinet 4 

Ambassador I 

Ministers  from  the  United  States  to  foreign 

courts 14 

Charges  d'affaires  to  foreign  courts 2 

United  States  consuls-general  and  consuls 12 

Members  of  the  U.  S.  Senate  and  House  of 

Representatives 24 

United  States  civil  officers  of  various  kinds. ...  171 

Presidential  electors 8 

Governors  of  States  and  Territories 1 6 

Bishop i 

Lieutenant-governors  of  States 2 


190  West  Point 

Judges 14 

Members  of  State  Legislatures 77 

Presiding  officers  of  State  Senates  and  Houses  of 

Representatives 8 

Members  of  conventions  to  form  state  constitu- 
tions    13 

State  officers  of  various  grades 81 

Adjutants,      inspectors,      and    quartermasters- 
general  of  States  and  Territories 29 

Officers  of  State  militia 158 

Mayors  of  cities 17 

City  officers 57 

Presidents  of  universities  and  colleges 46 

Principals  of  schools  and  academies 32 

Regents  and  chancellors  of  educational  institu- 
tions    14 

Professors  and  teachers 136 

Superintendent  of  Coast  Survey I 

Surveyors-general  of  States  and  Territories  ....  1 1 

Chief  engineers  of  States 14 

Presidents  of  railroads  and  other  corporations ...  87 
Chief  engineers  of  railroads  and  other  public 

works 63 

Superintendents  of  railroads  and  other  public 

works 62 

Treasurers  of  railroads  and  other  corporations ...  24 

Civil  engineers 228 

Electrical  engineers 5 

Attorneys  and  counsellors  at  Law 200 

Superior  general  of  clerical  order I 

Clergymen 20 

Physicians 14 

Merchants..  122 


The  Discipline  of  the  Mind       191 

Manufacturers 77 

Artists 3 

Architects 7 

Farmers  and  planters 230 

Bankers 18 

Bank  presidents 8 

Bank  officers 23 

Editors 30 

Authors 179 

Total  2371 

The  above  list  should  be  convincing  that  if 
methods  of  training  which  are  primarily  intended 
to  develop  officers  can  produce  such  signal  and 
distinguished  successes  in  every  walk  of  civil  life, 
no  fault  can  be  found  with  their  soundness. 

The  Academic  year  is  divided  into  two  terms 
that  end  in  the  fall  and  the  spring.  A  month 
prior  to  the  conclusion  of  each  term,  each  Depart- 
ment conducts  a  general  review  of  the  subjects 
studied  that  semester.  Cadets  who  make  a 
proficient  average  upon  this  review,  which  is 
generally  written,  are  exempt  from  the  examin- 
ations. These  reviews  are  very  thorough  and 
searching.  The  questions  are  framed  to  test  the 
cadet's  real  knowledge  of  the  subject.  In  order  to 
avoid  all  personal  element  entering  into  the  marks, 
the  papers  are  graded  by  all  of  the  instructors, 
each  marking  one  question.  In  this  manner  the 
marks  are  uniform  and  fair  as  possible,  and  no  one 
instructor  has  any  great  influence  in  assigning 
to  a  man  his  class  standing. 


192  West  Point 

Following  the  reviews  come  the  examinations  for 
those  who  failed  upon  the  review.  These  tests 
are  also  quite  rigid,  and  in  order  to  be  declared 
proficient  a  man  must  make  two  thirds  of  the 
mark,  .66  per  cent.  The  examination  papers  are 
likewise  marked  by  all  of  the  instructors  and  by 
the  Professor.  In  the  event  that  a  cadet  fails  he  is 
reported  to  the  Academic  Board  for  their  action. 
In  general,  if  deficient  in  any  one  subject,  the  cadet 
is  dismissed. 

I  feel  how  weak  are  any  words  that  I  might  use 
to  attempt  to  describe  the  despair  into  which  a 
discharged  cadet  is  plunged.  For  days  he  lives  in 
an  excruciating  suspense  awaiting  the  result  of  the 
examinations.  The  thought  of  wasted  oppor- 
tunity, the  regret  for  lack  of  early  preparation 
perhaps,  and  worse  than  all,  the  sense  of  failure 
torment  him.  It  is  bitter  to  renounce  the  cama- 
raderie and  friendship  of  his  fellows  and  to  see 
himself  involuntarily  separated  from  surround- 
ings that  he  has  come  to  love.  At  last  the  dread 
news  comes.  The  Adjutant  rises  from  his  seat  in 
the  Mess  Hall  and  calls  the  Battalion  to  attention. 
Immediately  a  deathlike  stillness  pervades  the 
cadet  body.  The  gravity  and  dignity  of  the  Ad- 
jutant's demeanor  unconsciously  inform  the  Corps 
that  distressing  news  is  about  to  be  communi- 
cated. Slowly  and  distinctly  the  names  are  read 
out,  one  by  one,  and  as  they  fall  upon  the 
straining  ears  of  the  cadets,  they  sound  like  so 
many  death  sentences  for  the  unfortunate  lads  who 


The  Discipline  of  the  Mind       193 

are  "found. "  A  gloom  of  sorrow  settles  over  the 
Corps  and  the  companies  file  out  of  the  hall  in 
sympathetic  silence.  But  the  reality  must  be 
faced.  Suitcases  and  trunks  are  packed,  accounts 
are  quickly  settled,  affectionate  and  emotional 
good-byes  are  said,  and  sadly  the  discharged  cadets 
drop  out  of  the  ranks  of  the  Corps.  The  long 
gray  line  closes  up  and  once  again  marches  for- 
ward to  do  battle  with  the  Academic  obstacles  that 
block  the  road  to  graduation. 


CHAPTER  VIII 


GROWING  MUSCLES 

WHENEVER  the  cadets  leave  the  seclusion 
of  West  Point  and  appear  in  public  in 
uniform,  their  erect  carriage,  their  smart  tight- 
fitting  dress  coats  that  show  off  their  broad 
muscular  shoulders  and  slender  waists  never  fail 
to  excite  favorable  comment  and  praise.  It 
most  generally  finds  expression  from  a  group  of 
giggling  maidens  who  evince  a  great  curiosity 
about  the  cadets'  slender  waists,  either  openly  re- 
marking that  they  are  artificial  or  more  specifically 
assuring  themselves,  when  advantage  can  be 
taken  of  a  cadet,  by  poking  the  gray  bound  torso 
around  the  middle  line,  timidly  asking  him  if 
he  wears  corsets,  a  remark  that  usually  serves 
as  an  introduction  to  a  harmless  flirtation. 

The  splendid  set-up  of  the  cadets  is  not,  how- 
ever, due  to  stays,  whalebones  in  the  dress  coats, 
Dr.  Quack's  abdominal  bandages,  or  to  any  other 
mechanical  appliances.  It  is  the  result  of  a  very 
highly  intelligent  system  of  physical  training,  to 
which  the  supple  young  body  of  the  cadet  is  sub- 
mitted for  four  years.  Naturally,  little  by  little 

194 


Growing  Muscles  195 

his  muscles,  through  exercise,  attain  their  proper 
development,  and  since  no  one  set  of  muscles  is 
neglected,  the  body  gradually  assumes  a  well- 
rounded,  finished  appearance.  The  material  for 
instruction  is  good  and  healthy,  because  all  of  the 
cadets  have  been  submitted  to  a  rigid  physical 
examination  before  entrance.  They  are  not,  how- 
ever, all  perfect  specimens,  for  many  possess 
minor  defects  and  blemishes,  unimportant  as  far 
as  affecting  their  military  value  to  the  Government, 
but  which  can  be  eradicated  by  proper  physical 
training. 

The  instructor  of  physical  training  is  greatly 
aided  in  his  actual  work,  by  the  kind  of  life  the 
cadet  leads,  so  that  he  has  not  to  struggle  with  a 
crowd  of  men  who  after  having  received  physical 
training  daily,  indulge  themselves  to  their  heart's 
content.  He  has,  on  the  contrary,  a  set  of  young 
men  who  live  under  the  strictest  and  simplest  condi- 
tions in  a  healthy  environment,  and  whose  diet 
is  most  wholesome.  No  late  suppers,  no  beer,  no 
rich  food  are  at  work  to  keep  up  the  rotundity 
of  the  stomach,  the  cor  am  nobis  of  the  Romans, 
or  to  produce  a  lot  of  flabby  fat,  but  good  cereals, 
nourishing  meats  and  vegetables,  even  the  de- 
spised "slum, "  are  indirect  factors  in  keeping 
healthy  the  cadet's  body. 

LWest  Point  believes  that  for  a  man  to  do  the 
best  mental  work,  his  body  must  be  in  the  best 
condition.  The  Academy  was  the  first  educational 
institution  in  the  country  to  recognize  that  hand 


196  West  Point 

in  hand  with  the  student's  mental  training  must_ 
go  the  proper  development  of  his  physical  powers. 
As  long  ago  as  1817,  Captain  Partridge,  the 
Superintendent  of  the  Military  Academy,  incor- 
porated in  the  curriculum  bodily  exercises.  Since 
that  time  the  importance  of  physical  training  in 
the  cadet's  course  has  been  given  recognition,  but 
frankly  there  was  no  real  system  of  physical  train- 
ing until  1846.  A  gymnasium  was  then  prepared 
and  instruction  given  by  First  Lieut.  H.  C. 
Wayne,  First  Artillery.  This  was  a  beginning, 
but  the  authorities  were  hampered  by  lack  of 
equipment,  and  also  by  no  very  great  knowledge 
of  how  to  proceed.  The  science  of  physical 
training  was  in  its  infancy,  it  must  be  remembered, 
but  crude  as  was  the  instruction  it  was  the  genesis 
of  the  splendid  course  that  now  exists. 
£Fpr  a  long  period  after  the  Civil  War,  1865- 
1882,  cadets  attended  the  gymnasium  as  they  saw 
fit,  a  system  that  was  no  system.  The  original 
course  from  which  the  present  course  has  developed 
was  inaugurated  in  February,  1885!,, 

The  daily  routine  at  the  Academy  is  extremely 
exacting  and  hard,  and  I  doubt  very  much  if  a 
large  number  of  men  could  stand  the  strain  and 
daily  grind  of  the  Academic  year,  if  they  were 
not  physically  prepared  to  meet  its  requirements. 
Since  all  Academic  duties  are  suspended  during 
part  of  June,  July,  and  August,  in  order  to  devote 
these  months  to  practical  military  instruction, 
the  new  cadets  are  directed  to  report  in  June. 


Growing  Muscles  197 

Two  months  are  then  at  the  disposal  of  the  authori- 
ties to  strengthen  the  new  arrivals'  bodies,  both 
by  prescribed  physical  exercises  and  by  the 
exercise  incident  to  the  drills  and  maneuvers, 
before  the  studies  begin  in  September. 

During  the  first  three  weeks  of  the  new  cadet's 
training,  setting-up  exercises  begin  his  day's 
work.  After  his  breakfast  has  had  time  to  digest, 
he  and  his  fellows  are  marched  over  to  the  main 
room  of  the  gymnasium  for  forty-five  minutes' 
physical  drill.  Although  the  setting-up  exercises 
may  be  given  outdoors,  and  have  always  been 
heretofore,  the  gymnasium  is  now  used  to  eliminate 
the  distraction  of  the  cadet's  attention  by  passers- 
by  whose  amusement  at  the  efforts  of  the  stiff 
and  awkward  "beasts"  reacted  upon  the  new 
cadets. 

The  recruit  instruction  begins  with  the  most 
simple  exercises.  The  cadet  is  taught  first  the 
position  of  attention;  that  his  heels  must  be  to- 
gether, his  feet  turned  out  just  so  much,  his  knees 
devoid  of  stiffness,  in  a  word,  what  he  shall  do 
with  his  hips,  arms,  and  hands,  keeping  his  head 
erect,  his  chin  drawn  in,  and  his  eyes  straight  to 
the  front.  Simple  as  is  the  position  of  attention, 
many  men  take  a  long  time  to  learn  it.  Some 
never  can  comply  with  all  the  requirements, 
for  how  can  the  bow-legged  man  and  the  knock- 
kneed  chap  keep  their  legs  "straight  without 
stiffness"? 

Then  follow  breathing  exercises  to  increase  the 


198  West  Point 

wind  capacity,  to  permit  longer  and  more  extended 
drills,  and  to  lead  up  to  the  simple  movements 
designed  to  develop  the  muscles  upon  which  the 
position  of  attention  is  dependent. 

The  cadets  line  up  on  the  gymnasium  floor. 
The  instructor  commands:  "  Count  off !  " 

' '  One— two— three— four ! "  "  One— two— three 
— four!  "  in  weak  voices  and  strong  voices,  diminu- 
endo and  crescendo,  is  repeated  all  down  the  line, 
each  man  snapping  his  head  to  the  front  as  he  calls 
his  number.  The  inequality  of  tone  of  voice  is 
gradually  eliminated  so  that  after  a  few  drills  the 
count  off  is  uniform  in  pitch. 

"Take  distance.  March!"  commands  the  drill 
master  followed  by  "Company,  halt!"  when  the 
men  have  become  sufficiently  separated  to  perform 
the  exercises  without  interfering  with  one  another. 

Various  exercises  are  then  taught,  the  simple 
ones  first,  followed  by  the  more  complex  move- 
ments to  develop  a  coordination  of  all  muscles 
and  a  feeling  of  control  over  one's  body.  The 
set  of  exercises  used  at  the  Academy  are  simple 
in  the  extreme  and  executed  by  even  simpler 
commands.  It  is  astonishing  how  in  a  few  min- 
utes a  perfectly  green  squad  can  be  taught  to 
execute  movements  not  only  in  unison,  but  even 
with  precision  and  smartness.  The  great  value  of 
the  commands  lies  in  the  fact  that  no  elaborate 
explanations  are  necessary.  All  the  recruit  has 
to  do  is  to  watch  the  instructor.  Let  me  illustrate 
by  an  example.  The  instructor  commands: 


Growing  Muscles  199 

"  I.    Arms  forward.    2.    Raise." 

The  cadet  raises  his  arm  in  front  of  him  to  height 
of  shoulders,  holding  them  in  this  position  while 
the  instructor  says: 

"Swing  arms  down  at  I  and  up  at  2.  Ready! 
exercise!  One!  Two!  .  .  .  One!  Halt!" 

All  movements  cease  with  arms  in  raised 
position. 

"Arms  down."      All  drop  their  arms  smartly. 

Of  course,  to  the  simple  movements  are  added 
various  combinations,  and  all  exercises  are  executed 
both  at  a  halt  and  while  marching.  The  walking 
with  measured  step  gives  poise  and  grace  of  car- 
riage. The  recruits  are  also  practiced  in  the  run 
and  double  time,  the  latter  a  military  step  to  gain 
ground  rapidly,  but  with  a  minimum  inroad  upon 
the  wind  and  endurance  of  the  soldier.  Setting- 
up  exercises  are  the  most  valuable  preliminary 
training  for  any  body  of  men  entering  the  military 
service.  For  the  first  week  the  body  is  sore  and 
aches  to  the  point  of  great  fatigue,  but  after  the 
preliminary  soreness  disappears,  a  feeling  of 
control  supplants  it,  and  the  general  health  of  the 
body  is  better.  No  brown  pills  are  necessary; 
no  headaches  from  biliousness  exist.  A  good 
forty-five  minute  setting-up  drill  every  morning, 
plenty  of  wholesome  food,  and  eight  hours*  sleep 
contribute  to  the  cadet's  good  health.  The  Mess 
Hall,  not  to  be  outdone  by  other  departments, 
lends  its  aid  by  serving  judicious  plates  of  prunes. 
These  preliminary  setting-up  drills,  given  during 


200  West  Point 

the  first  few  weeks,  are  discontinued  for  a  short 
period  in  camp  when  the  cadets  are  busy  learning 
other  drills. 

Swimming  now  replaces  the  setting-up  exercises 
until  the  battalions  return  to  barracks  in  Septem- 
ber. The  new  cadets  must  be  able  to  swim  at 
least  ten  minutes  without  changing  their  stroke, 
which  standard  each  cadet  must  measure  before  he 
is  excused  from  attendance  at  the  swimming  drills. 
These  drills  are  never  a  bore,  however,  but  antici- 
pated with  great  pleasure  by  nearly  all  of  the  men. 
Nothing  is  so  refreshing  on  a  hot  summer's  day, 
after  a  tedious  drill  upon  the  dusty  Plain,  than  the 
march  over  to  the  "Gym"  for  a  swim  in  the 
deliciously  cool  clean  water  of  the  tank.  Instruc- 
tion is  also  given  in  resuscitating  men  who  are 
apparently  drowned. 

When  September  comes  and  the  studies  are 
commenced,  the  Fourth  Class  resumes  its  setting- 
up  exercises,  to  which  are  added  gymnastic  work. 

In  the  fall  each  cadet  is  given  a  thorough  exami- 
nation at  which  all  of  his  measurements  are  accu- 
rately taken,  and  various  strength  tests  are  made. 
This  information  is  entered  on  a  card  and  filed 
for  future  reference,  because  later  on  the  cadets 
are  again  measured  and  tested  in  order  that  the 
improvement  may  be  noted. 

Measurements  are  made  of  the  height,  chest, 
waist,  arms,  legs;  and  strength  tests  are  made  of 
the  arms,  hands,  back,  and  legs.  These  methods 
quickly  reveal  wherein  the  cadet  is  deficient,  and 


o 


Growing  Muscles  201 

allow  the  instructor,  like  a  doctor,  to  prescribe  for 
each  individual  the  necessary  exercises.  For  ex- 
ample, those  whose  chests  are  under-developed  are 
assigned  to  the  chest  weights  until  the  deficiency 
is  made  up,  and  where  the  smaller  muscles  of  the 
arms  and  shoulders  need  attention  practice  is 
given  with  the  Indian  clubs  and  medicine  balls. 

JTo  develop  in  all  of  them  power,  vigor,  and  endur- 
ance, the  groups  of  large  muscles  of  the  back, 
chest,  abdomen,  and  legs  are  improved  by  setting- 
up  exercises,  dumb-bells,  and  wands,  jumping, 
climbing,  and  lastly  by  apparatus  worky  This 
class  of  exercises  is  reserved  until  the  muscles 
have  been  more  or  less  controlled  and  respond  to 
the  will,  for  the  execution  depends  not  so  much 
upon  muscular  effort  as  it  does  upon  agility.  It 
would  never  do  to  start  in  green  men  on  the 
apparatus  work,  because  there  would  soon  result 
broken  legs  and  arms.  This  work  is  hard  enough 
for  those  lacking  "muscle  sense, "  even  after  many 
months  of  preliminary  exercises. 

Included  in  the  schedule  for  the  first  year's 
work  is  instruction  in  the  saber  and  the  foils,  but 
as  the  amount  of  time  that  can  be  devoted  to  these 
branches  of  instruction  is  limited,  only  the  most 
elementary  features  of  the  arts  can  be  taught. 
An  opportunity,  however,  is  afforded  cadets  to 
perfect  themselves  in  the  use  of  both  the  saber 
and  the  foil  after  regular  hours.  During  the 
winter  months,  when  the  vigorous  weather  re- 
quires a  suspension  of  outdoor  drilling,  the  fencing 


202  West  Point 

master  gives  individual  lessons  to  those  who 
desire  to  take  them.  The  volunteers  are  formed 
into  a  squad  known  as  the  Fencing  Squad,  from 
which  are  organized,  for  each  weapon,  class 
teams.  The  interests  at  West  Point  are  so  many 
and  varied  that  it  is  impossible  for  each  cadet  to 
be  an  accomplished  fencer,  boxer,  wrestler,  gym- 
nast, or  swimmer,  but  each  one  is  given  instruction 
in  the  fundamentals.  The  cadets  usually  select  the 
art  that  appeals  to  them  most  and  perfect  them- 
selves along  the  chosen  line.  The  saber  is  popular, 
and  many  cadets  acquire  great  dexterity  in  its 
manipulation.  It  is  distinctly  a  soldierly  exercise, 
so  that  it  exercises  a  fascination  for  the  men,  es- 
pecially for  those  who  intend  to  choose  the  cavalry. 
Instruction  in  the  use  of  the  foils  is  given  to  the 
entire  class  assembled  by  sections,  and  consists  of 
preliminary  instruction  in  the  single  rank  without 
weapon,  in  the  single  rank  with  foils,  and  in  the 
double  rank  with  foils.  As  with  the  saber,  the 
men  whose  sport  by  predilection  is  fencing  with 
foils  take  individual  lessons  from  the  fencing  master 
every  afternoon  from  November  until  March. 
.The  interest  in  fencing  at  one  time  was  exceedingly 
great,  and  the  sport  was  regarded  as  one  of  the 
major  activities  of  cadet  life.  This  interest  was 
due  to  the  participation  of  cadet  teams  in  the 
Intercollegiate  Fencing  Meet,  but  five  years  ago 
the  Academy  authorities  prohibited  cadet  teams 
from  attending  these  competitions.  This  action 
killed  the  interest  in  fencing  for  several  years,  but 


Growing  Muscles  203 

at  present  the  former  popularity  of  this  excellent 
sport  is  returning,  and  a  visitor  may  now  see 
the  thirteen  double  mats,  accommodating  fifty- 
two  men,  constantly  filled. 

'  When  President  Roosevelt,  in  1905,  ordered 
that  all  cadets  should  attend  gymnasium  daily, 
assistants  were  detailed,  to  assist  the  officer  in 
charge  of  physical  trainingJ  For  the  fencing,  the 
Academy  secured  the  services  of  a  maitre  d'armes 
under  whose  careful  and  scientific  training,  the 
fencing  teams  of  the  Academy  continued  their 
brilliant  achievements  begun  in  1902.  Begin- 
ning with  that  year  until  1910,  West  Point  sent 
to  the  annual  intercollegiate  championship  meets, 
teams  that  contested  with  Harvard,  Yale,  Cornell, 
Pennsylvania,  Columbia,  and  the  Navy.  Out 
of  the  nine  meets,  West  Point  won  six,  and  ob- 
tained second  place  in  the  other  three,  yielding 
their  supremacy  to  their  great  rivals,  the  Navy. 
This  remarkable  record  was  accomplished  by 
the  untiring  efforts  of  the  team  and  of  their  much- 
liked  instructor,  M.  Vauthier,  whose  skill  excited 
their  admiration  and  inspired  in  them  a  splendid 
spirit  of  emulation. 

More  attention  is  now  paid  to  the  bayonet 
fencing  due  to  the  extended  use  of  that  weapon 
in  the  present  European  War,  but  as  with  the  other 
arts,  the  limited  time  permits  the  teaching  of 
only  the  fundamentals.  The  cadet  learns  enough 
in  each  branch  to  build  upon  afterwards  and 
make  himself  a  competent  instructor. 


204  West  Point 

Not  less  popular  than  the  fencing  are  the  boxing 
and  wrestling  exercises.  The  first  year  men  are 
assembled  in  classes  and  given  instruction  in 
boxing  in  the  guard,  footwork,  parries,  simple 
direct  leads  and  counters.  Similarly  in  wrestling, 
the  simple  holds,  resultant  falls,  and  the  breaks 
for  the  simple  holds  are  all  taught. 

It  is  not,  however,  to  the  regular  class  work 
that  one  must  go  to  judge  of  the  grip  that  these 
manly  sports  have  upon  the  cadets.  In  the 
afternoon,  after  recitations,  embryo  Jeffries  and 
Fitzsimmonses  gather  in  the  boxing  room  to 
receive  the  holy  instruction  from  the  master,  Mr. 
Jenkins,  or  "Tom,"  as  he  is  affectionately  called 
among  themselves.  There  he  teaches  the  aspirant 
pugilist  how  to  land  a  blow  and  how  to  avoid  one, 
and  occasionally  to  make  the  lesson  more  realistic 
he  treats  his  young  charge  to  the  experience  of 
receiving  one.  Some  experiences  in  a  man's  life 
grow  dim,  but  never  this  one. 

When  the  preliminary  bouts  are  being  fought, 
large  numbers  flock  to  the  boxing  room  to  cheer 
for  the  weaker  fellow  even  though  he  be  of  another 
class  than  one's  own.  Boxing  develops  fine 
qualities  among  the  men.  It  teaches  them  to 
give  and  take,  to  receive  punishment  without 
flinching,  and  to  respect  the  skill  of  a  good  oppo- 
nent. Besides  it  gives  a  man  confidence  in  his 
powers,  making  him  think  quickly  and  move 
quickly,  all  excellent  qualities  for  an  officer  of 
the  army. 


Growing  Muscles  205 

Boxing,  however,  shares  the  popular  appeal  with 
wrestling.  This  manly  sport  that  we  have  in- 
herited from  our  ancestors  of  the  stone  age  fasci- 
nates men  chiefly  by  virtue  of  its  brute  strength 
and  to  a  lesser  degree  by  its  skill.  It  is  a  game 
for  men  of  all  sizes,  provided  they  possess  the 
necessary  qualities  of  courage  and  strength. 

The  boxing  room  on  winter  afternoons  presents 
a  warm  and  pleasing  contrast  to  the  cold  and 
snow  outside.  The  mats  are  covered  with  agile 
forms  in  black  jersey  tights  wriggling  and  squirm- 
ing, the  perspiration  rolling  off  the  wrestlers  as 
they  endeavor  to  grind  the  shoulders  of  their 
opponents  to  the  mat.  All  men  receive  instruction 
in  wrestling  in  class,  but  like  the  other  sports,  its 
devotees  must  repair  for  extra  instruction  to  Mr. 
Jenkins  during  recreation  hours.  It  is  in  this 
time  that  men  practice  for  their  class  teams,  one 
for  each  of  the  following  weights :  unlimited,  heavy, 
light  heavy,  middle,  welter,  light,  and  feather. 
The  four  class  teams  meet  each  other  successively 
to  wrestle  for  the  class  championship.  There  is 
besides  a  contest  for  the  individual  championship, 
the  final  bouts  which  take  place  publicly  at  the 
Annual  Indoor  Meet. 

Prior  to  the  resumption  of  the  afternoon  military 
drills  in  March,  the  cadets  hold  their  annual 
gymnastic  event  called  the  Indoor  Meet.  The 
contests,  which  are  held  with  great  ceremony  in 
the  Gymnasium,  include  races,  pole  climbing, 
work  on  horizontal  bars  and  parallel  bars,  long 


206  West  Point 

and  short  horse,  rings  both  stationary  and  flying, 
and  the  tug  of  war  between  the  classes. 

Each  class  enters  so  many  men  for  each  event, 
and  for  the  awards  of  first,  second,  or  third,  the 
contestant  receives  a  designated  number  of 
points.  The  class  receiving  the  greatest  total 
wins  the  meet.  This  athletic  event  is  a  very 
fitting  way  to  end  the  winter  course,  for  it  offers 
an  opportunity  to  those  men  who  have  labored 
faithfully  during  the  winter  afternoons  to  reap  the 
reward  of  their  efforts.  It  also  is  an  incentive 
for  better  work  because  of  the  spirit  of  competition. 
The  Athletic  Association  upon  this  occasion, 
presents  sabers,  both  to  the  captain  of  the  foot- 
ball team  and  to  that  member  of  the  First  Class 
who  during  his  cadet  career  has  done  the  most  for 
athletics.  It  is  a  very  proud  night  for  these 
young  men  as  they  walk  forward  to  receive  the 
coveted  saber,  the  first  part  of  their  officer's  equip- 
ment. 

There  is  great  rivalry  among  the  classes  during 
the  events.  The  four  corners  of  the  room  are 
filled  with  the  members  of  each  class,  who  yell 
like  demons  to  encourage  their  representatives. 
Almost  every  minute  the  air  is  filled  with  shrieks 
and  yells  of  excited  cadets  whose  "Zis-boom- 
ahs!"  "Rah!  Rah!  Rahs!"  "1917!  1918!!  .  .  ." 
are  hurled  at  one  another  to  the  delight  and  amuse- 
ment of  the  spectators,  young  and  old,  hanging 
over  the  iron  railing  of  the  gallery. 

The  courses  in  gymnastics,  wrestling,  and  boxing, 


Growing  Muscles  207 

increase  in  difficulty  according  to  the  class,  so  that 
the  Third  and  Second  Classmen  pursue  a  more 
advanced  course  than  the  plebes.  When,  however, 
the  cadets  become  First  Classmen,  emphasis  is 
laid  upon  the  theories  of  physical  training  with  the 
object  of  preparing  these  "near  officers"  for  their 
duties  as  instructors  in  the  service.  The  needs 
of  the  Army  are  carefully  considered  in  the  train- 
ing of  the  last  year  in  order  to  send  out  from  West 
Point  men  who  can  at  once  take  hold  of  a  group 
of  recruits  and  whip  them  into  good  physical 
shape,  according  to  the  most  intelligent  methods. 

Unfortunately,  the  setting-up  exercises  in  the 
Army  are  only  spasmodically  taught.  There  is 
very  little  uniformity  in  the  method,  despite  the 
excellent  manual  with  which  the  troops  are 
provided. 

West  Point  is  at  present  making  an  effort  to 
influence  the  Service  to  a  better  appreciation  of  the 
results  to  be  derived  from  regular  drill  in  setting-up 
exercises.  To  this  end,  the  First  Classmen  are 
taught  to  act  as  instructors,  and  are  grounded 
not  only  in  actual  practice  but  in  theory.  Every 
year  extra  classes  are  held  to  develop  good  in- 
structors for  the  coming  summer  camps,  and  for 
future  service  in  the  Army.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that 
commanding  officers  will  make  good  use  of  these 
enthusiastic  young  teachers. 

Although  the  control  of  athletics  at  the  Academy 
is  not  under  the  gymnasium  authorities,  still  it 
is  fitting  to  speak  of  the  sports  in  this  chapter. 


208 


West  Point 


The  Academy  has  its  football,  baseball,  basket- 
ball, and  hockey  teams,  and  in  addition  the  cadets 
play  golf,  polo,  and  tennis.  There  is  little  in  the 
training  or  conduct  of  these  teams  that  differs 
from  other  educational  institutions,  except  the 
question  of  time  allowed  for  preparation.  It  has 
always  been  the  rule  at  West  Point  that  no  inroads 
shall  be  permitted  upon  the  Academic  course 
to  aid  the  development  of  any  athletic  team. 
Consequently,  what  practice  the  teams  get  must 
be  during  recreation  hours.  The  only  concessions 
made  are  supper  a  half -hour  later  for  the  football 
men,  and  exemptions  twice  a  week  from  parade 
for  the  baseball  men.  Athletics  receive,  however, 
the  greatest  support  and  encouragement  from  the 
authorities,  whose  aim  is,  however,  not  to  develop 
a  few  good  men  or  an  excellent  team  in  any  one 
sport,  but  to  seek  a  good  average. 

Every  cadet  is  urged  to  join  in  some  form  of 
athletics  instead  of  remaining  in  his  dress  coat 
along  the  side  lines  as  an  interested  spectator. 
The  efforts  made  in  this  direction  have  received  a 
warm  response  from  the  cadet  body,  so  that  during 
recreation  hours  the  Plain  presents  a  busy  scene 
of  cadet  activities.  The  green  parade  ground  is 
dotted  with  the  golfers  in  gray  shirts  and  white 
trousers;  the  tennis  courts  are  filled  with  ani- 
mated figures;  groups  of  happy  cadets  ride  by  on 
horseback  for  a  gallop  in  the  woods,  while  others 
prefer  the  more  sedate  hiking  in  the  surrounding 
hills.  It  is  a  great  temptation  after  the  recita- 


Growing  Muscles  209 

tions  and  drills  to  be  lazy,  hang  around  one's 
room,  or  "bone  fiction"  which  means  reading 
novels,  but  in  recent  years  the  men  have  become 
more  and  more  sensible  of  the  many  advantages 
offered  them  during  their  cadet  days,  and  a  new 
spirit  of  carpe  diem  has  come  over  the  Corps. 

But  to  return  to  my  subject  of  physical  training 
proper.  /No  opportunity  is  lost  to  impress  upon 
each  maiPthe  practical  use  to  which  he  will  put 
his  knowledge  of  physical  training  when  he  becomes 
an  officer.  He  is  urged  to  prepare  himself  to  the 
best  of  his  ability  to  become  a  proficient  instructor 
for  the  enlisted  men  whom  he  will  later  command. 
In  this  connection,  the  cadets  learn  in  their 
course  of  Military  Hygiene  that  the  object  of  all 
physical  training  is  to  develop  the  human  body  in 
its  entirety  in  order  that  there  shall  resul^  perfect 
equilibrium  between  all  its  functioi^SLJ  Many 
recruits  join  the  Army  without  the  slightest 
coordination  of  their  body.  Although  well  formed 
they  are  awkward,  clumsy,  stoop  shouldered, 
without  ability  to  make  their  different  members 
act  in  unison  with  their  minds.  If  an  officer 
does  not  know  what  to  do  with  these  men  he  will 
never  succeed  in  getting  good  work  out  of  them. 
His  first  duty  therefore  is  to  develop  the  recruit's 
body,  especially  the  functions  of  control,  the  co- 
ordination between  eye  and  hand,  because  the 
success  of  line  troops  is  largely  dependent  upon 
physical  aptitude.  The  modern  war  makes  greater 
demands  than  ever  upon  the  soldier's  physique. 
14 


210  West  Point 

I  heard  an  observer,  recently  returned  from  the 
European  War,  state  that  the  infantryman  is  now 
so  loaded  down  with  packs,  steel  helmets,  hand 
grenades,  and  rifle  that  he  finds  it  difficult  to 
advance  faster  than  a  walk.  The  strain  upon 
the  physique  of  the  infantryman  carrying  his  pack 
is  greater  than  upon  soldiers  of  other  arms,  and 
since  graduates  in  time  of  war  will  be  concerned 
largely  with  the  training  of  infantry,  it  is  of 
paramount  importance  that  cadets  should  under- 
stand the  building  up  and  care  of  the  bodies  of 
their  men.  A  soldier  must  possess  more  than  the 
average  muscular  strength,  endurance,  and  organic 
vigor. 

I  see  before  me  daily  the  fine  results  of  the  sys- 
tem of  physical  training  at  the  Academy.  Un- 
gainly plebes  gradually  assume  a  well-rounded 
appearance,  an  erect  carriage  with  head  up  and  an 
elastic  walk.  I  sometimes  have  to  rub  my  eyes 
when  I  behold  a  cadet  whom  I  once  remembered 
as  an  unformed  plebe,  as  loose  jointed  as  a  big 
Newfoundland  puppy,  but  who  now  appears  before 
my  astonished  vision  as  a  smart  soldierly  First 
Classman.  When  the  cadets  have  completed 
their  four  years  course  they  have  a  decided  physi- 
cal stamp,  showing  that  each  one  has  been  trained 
by  the  same  system. 

At  the  end  of  the  year  in  June,  when  the  Post  is 
thronged  with  visitors,  relatives,  and  friends  of 
cadets  who  are  present  for  the  graduation  exer- 
cises, an  outdoor  demonstration  of  the  setting-up 


Growing  Muscles  211 

exercises  is  given  on  the  Plain.  The  precision  and 
uniformity  with  which  the  movements  are  exe- 
cuted arouse  great  interest  as  eight  hundred  supple 
young  bodies  respond  as  one  to  the  sonorous 
commands  of  the  instructor  perched  on  a  solid 
wooden  table. 

This  drill  is  usually  followed  by  the  Outdoor 
Meet,  the  annual  athletic  event  corresponding 
to  the  Indoor  Meet.  Each  class  has  its  best 
representatives  entered  to  win  a  victory  in  the 
dashes,  hurdle  races,  long  distance  races,  hammer 
throwing,  jumping,  and  pole  vaulting.  Back  of 
the  roped  lines  surge  the  cadets  of  the  various 
classes,  cheering  themselves  hoarse  for  their  own 
representatives.  Mothers,  sisters,  sweethearts, 
friends,  friends'  friends,  in  the  fluffiest  and  gay- 
est summer  dresses  devouringly  trail  their  "Kay- 
det, "  and  give  excited  and  exaggerated  opinions 
about  things  of  which  they  are  totally  igno- 
rant,— but  bless  their  hearts!  their  presence  is  an 
inspiration  to  the  young  gods  at  their  Olympian 
games. 

On  the  June  morning  of  the  Outdoor  Meet, 
West  Point  usually  offers  one  of  her  incomparably 
beautiful  days  as  a  fitting  setting  for  the  display 
of  her  cadets'  physical  prowess.  And  when 
the  Meet  ends,  the  cadets  all  feel  that  one  more 
year's  progres$..Jias  been  made  in  their  physical 
development.  .The  First  Classmen  who  on  the 
morrow  will  go  forth  into  the  Army,  leaving  the 
protecting  walls  of  West  Point,  reflect  with  emo- 


212 


West  Point 


tion  and  gratitude  upon  all  that  West  Point's 
training  has  done  to  strengthen  their  bodies  to 
endure  whatever  hardships  that  might  arise  in 
their  new  lives  as  officers 


CHAPTER  IX 

LESSONS  FROM  MARS 

IN  the  Area  of  the  South  Barracks,  directly  op- 
posite the  sally-port,  is  a  little  brick  building 
with  a  clock  tower.  It  is  small  and  insignificant 
looking  to  the  ordinary  observer,  but  not  so  to  the 
cadet.  Here  dwell  the  "Tacs,"  the  officers  of 
the  Tactical  Department,  who  are  charged  with  the 
discipline  and  purely  military  instruction  of  the 
Corps.  More  especially,  it  is  the  Headquarters  of 
the  Commandant,  his  assistants,  the  cadet  Officer 
of  the  Day,  the  officers  of  the  guard,  and  the 
orderlies.  The  mail,  the  precious  mail,  is  assorted 
twice  daily  within  its  old  walls,  and  its  creaky 
wooden  floor  is  worn  thin  by  the  lively  tread  of 
hurrying  cadets  feverishly  crowding  around  the 
bulletin  boards. 

In  the  second-floor  room  of  the  Tower  is  the 
Officer  in  Charge,  the  monarch  of  all  he  surveys. 
True,  his  reign  is  but  twenty-four  hours,  but  he 
returns  to  the  throne  about  once  a  week.  During 
his  tour  he  is  the  Corps  monitor.  From  the 
quaint  little  porch  off  his  room,  the  "poop  deck," 
as  the  cadets  think  of  it,  he  coldly  and  inscrutably 

213 


214  West  Point 

regards  all  formations  in  the  Area.  When  the 
punishment  squad  is  walking  tours,  the  door  of 
the  "poop  deck"  opens  unobtrusively,  and  for  a 
moment  he  stands  casting  a  glance  over  the 
oscillating  gray  figures,  walking  their  narrow  paths 
back  and  forth.  As  quietly  as  he  comes  forth  he 
fades  from  view.  The  "Area  Birds"  breathe 
more  freely  as  he  disappears,  but  soon  again  he 
reappears  like  an  accusing  conscience.  His  presence 
hovers  over  the  daily  life  of  the  cadets.  To  them 
he  is  the  "0.  C"  and  source  of  all  information. 
His  decisions  have  the  sacredness  and  authority 
of  the  Delphian  oracle.  If  the  weather  is  threaten- 
ing, it  is  he  who  decides  whether  raincoats  shall 
be  worn  to  meals.  If  visitors  arrive  during  study 
hours,  his  permission  must  be  obtained  to  speak 
with  them  for  half  an  hour.  If  knotty  problems 
of  interior  administration  bother  the  Officer  of 
the  Day,  his  advice  is  immediately  sought.  He 
is  amazingly  omniscient. 

Each  day  brings  a  new  "O.  C."  until  the  roster 
of  the  Tactical  officers  has  been  exhausted, 
whereupon  the  cycle  begins  anew.  There  are 
various  species  of  "O.  C.'s,"  and  it  is  astonishing 
how  the  personality  of  each  one  will  influence  the 
day  of  the  cadet.  There  is  the  cheerful  "O.  C." 
with  a  kind  manner  and  a  cordial  tone  in  his  voice. 
Between  him  and  his  young  charges  there  seems 
to  be  a  bond  of  mutual  confidence  and  affection. 
They  feel  that  his  reserve  is  assumed  "By  order, " 
and  that  if  they  only  knew  him,  he  would  be  their 


Lessons  from  Mars  215 

friend.  They  feel  his  human  side,  his  understand- 
ing of  their  difficulties,  and  they  have  no  resent- 
ment when  he  reports  them  because  they  know 
that  in  doing  so,  he  feels  a  sympathetic  pang. 
When  he  enters  the  Mess  Hall,  his  presence  is 
welcomed,  as  much  as  cadets  can  welcome  the 
presence  of  any  officer.  Somehow  the  laughter 
seems  gayer  and  the  day  altogether  brighter 
during  his  tour.  There  is  no  unconscious  load 
to  carry  in  addition  to  the  actual  burdens  of  the 
day.  At  parade,  a  little  more  effort  is  made 
to  execute  smartly  the  manual  when  he  gives  the 
commands. 

Then  there  is  the  gloomy  "0.  C.,"  the  stand-off 
kind  that  looks  daggers  upon  the  approach  of  any 
cadet.  He  appears  to  circle  over  the  Corps  like 
some  hungry  bird  ready  to  pounce  any  moment 
upon  his  prey.  When  he  has  occasion  to  question 
a  cadet,  a  barrier  of  ice  immediately  rises  between 
them  and  their  viewpoints  drift  miles  and  miles 
apart.  He  seems  to  them  never  to  have  been  a 
young  man  himself,  so  little  of  the  power  of  under- 
standing does  he  possess.  They  look  him  up  in 
the  Army  Register  and  discover  that  he  too  was 
a  cadet  not  so  many  years  ago,  but  to  believe  it 
strains  their  credulity  to  the  breaking  point. 
When  things  go  wrong,  instead  of  pointing  out 
the  error  in  a  natural  manner,  there  are  anger  and 
resentment  in  the  voice.  All  of  his  "skins"  seem 
flavored  with  malice.  Apparently,  he  goes  out  of 
his  way  to  be  disagreeable,  as  if  to  be  so  was  to 


216  West  Point 

be  military.  His  tour  is  regarded  with  dread 
especially  by  the  First  Classmen  detailed  that 
day  for  guard. 

But  the  influence  of  either  type  of  Officer  in 
Charge  is  transient.  It  passeth  from  day  to 
day.  If  the  Gloomy  One  is  on  duty,  there  is  the 
consolation  that  the  Cheerful  One  will  succeed  him 
like  sunshine  after  rain:  It  is  the  Commandant 
of  Cadets,  the  chief  of  all  the  "Tacs, "  who  exer- 
cises the  great  permanent  influence  over  the 
Corps.  Ever  since  the  creation  of  his  office  in 
1825,  he  has  been  ''the  Com"  to  the  embryo 
officers  under  him.  He  prescribes  all  of  their 
drills  and  casts  the  mold  for  the  discipline  of  their 
bodies  and  souls.  He  is  the  tribunal  that  grants 
or  withholds  their  privileges  and  that  punishes 
them  for  their  premeditated  or  thoughtless  mis- 
deeds. Whereas  a  few  years  ago  he  exercised  his 
power  for  the  seclusion  of  his  office,  at  a  distance 
from  the  cadets,  today  he  meets  and  talks  with 
them  daily,  ascertains  their  viewpoint,  giving  to 
his  work  the  new  spirit  of  the  personal  touch  that 
has  crept  into  the  instruction  at  West  Point.  To 
be  successful  in  his  important  work,  he  must  never 
look  bored.  He  must  take  an  interest  in  the 
cadets  rather  than  in  the  Regulations.  He  must 
be  human.  To  gain  the  admiration  of  his  men 
he  must  be  above  all  efficient,  fairly  good  to  look 
upon,  military  in  appearance,  and  well  dressed, 
and  to  gain  their  liking  and  respect  he  must  be 
smart,  strict,  and  impartial.  There  are  two 


Lessons  from  Mars  217 

faults  in  an  officer  that  a  cadet  finds  hard  to 
forgive:  lack  of  neatness  and  "being  wooden. " 

In  his  work,  the  Commandant  is  assisted  by  the 
"Tacs,"  Infantry,  Cavalry,  Field,  and  Coast 
Artillery  officers.  Officers  of  every  branch  of  the 
Service  are  represented  because  at  West  Point, 
the  duties  of  all  arms  are  taught.  It  is  with  these 
officers  more  than  any  others  that  the  cadet 
comes  into  the  most  direct  contact. 

For  purposes  of  administration,  each  company  is 
commanded  by  a  Tactical  officer.  He  passes  upon 
all  permits,  requests,  requisitions  for  clothing  and 
for  ordnance.  He  inspects  the  rooms  of  his 
command  to  see  that  they  are  clean  and  in  order. 
He  examines  the  rifles  and  equipment  for  dirt  and 
rust.  He  supervises  one  or  more  of  the  drills. 
He  is  really  the  presiding  genius  over  the  com- 
pany, in  whose  welfare  he  takes  unselfish  interest. 
It  is  the  duty  of  him  and  his  brother  "Tacs"  to 
uphold  the  discipline  of  the  Corps,  which  means 
that  when  a  man  has  to  deal  with  eight  hundred 
young  wills,  American  nurtured,  he  must  utilize 
something  stronger  than  mere  words  to  see  that 
the  eight  hundred  conform  to  the  set  standards 
of  the  institution.  His  chief  weapon  to  emphasize 
to  the  cadet  the  importance  of  the  Regulations  is 
the  report  or  "skin, "  which  carries  with  it  a  certain 
number  of  demerits,  and  sometimes  punishment 
tours. 

The  cadet  consequently  looks  upon  the  "Tac" 
as  his  arch  enemy.  One  cannot  help  having  a 


218 


West  Point 


little  resentment  toward  a  person  who  is  always 
present  to  check  up  his  misdoings,  no  matter  how 
just  and  well  deserved  the  punishment  may  be. 
The  feeling  is  only  human  and  the  military  at- 
mosphere rather  augments  it.  It  is  especially 
difficult,  I  think,  for  Americans  to  feel  continually 
the  heavy  hand  of  authority,  because  each  one 
of  us  is  so  individualistic.  Unconsciously,  the 
cadet  cannot  get  away  from  the  presence  of  the 
"Tac."  Life  in  barracks  seems  to  revolve  around 
this  individual.  From  the  early  morning  inspec- 
tion, until  the  evening  study  period  when  he 
again  comes  around,  knocking  sharply  on  each 
door  and  interrupting  the  train  of  thought,  his 
spectre,  if  not  himself,  is  haunting  the  surround- 
ings. The  cadets  know  that  he  is  just  across  the 
way  in  the  Guard  House,  and  that  they  will  meet 
him  at  drill  in  the  afternoon.  He  is  the  important 
factor  that  must  be  considered  in  their  daily 
comings  and  goings.  He  is  a  sort  of  irritating  yoke. 
It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  then,  that  he  is  the 
subject  of  unlimited  discussion,  despite  regulations 
to  the  contrary,  and  that  every  peculiarity  of 
manner,  dress,  or  speech  is  noticed  and  criticized. 
His  entire  personality  is  usually  summed  up 
in  some  nickname  that  comes  like  an  inspiration 
and  hits  the  nail  upon  the  head.  Occasionally 
the  name  is  complimentary,  in  unconscious  re- 
cognition of  an  innate  nobility  which  marks  him 
out  as  of  finer  clay,  but  more  often  it  is  uncom- 
plimentary and  droll. 


Lessons  from  Mars  219 

Nothing  pleases  a  cadet  quite  so  much  as  to  see 
a  "Tac"  do  something  wooden.  They  say  that 
he  is  gross,  which  has  nothing  whatsoever  to  do 
with  being  fat,  but  simply  means  that  his  mind 
is  somewhat  dense.  Immediately  the  blunder 
spreads  like  wild-fire  from  lip  to  lip,  growing  as  it 
goes  and  repeated  with  a  joy  that  approaches  de- 
lirium. There  was  at  one  time  an  officer  on  duty 
whose  idiosyncrasies  were  told  and  retold.  He 
furnished  many  a  good  story  for  the  delight  of  the 
Corps,  and  his  departure  threatened  the  existence 
of  The  Howitzer,  the  cadets'  annual  publication, 
and  of  the  Hundredth  Night,  the  annual  play  in 
which  the  officers  may  be  satirized.  His  mind 
seemed  to  work  by  rule  and  regulation.  One 
night  when  he  was  making  his  inspection  of  bar- 
racks, he  came  to  a  room  where  only  one  cadet 
was  studying  at  the  center  table.  He  entered, 
looked  around,  and  then  inquired : 

" Cadet,  where  is  your  roommate?" 

"In  bed,  sir!"  was  the  reply. 

"Is  he  asleep?"  asked  the  officer. 

"I  don't  know,  sir,"  answered  the  cadet. 

"Well,  find  out,"  ordered  the  "Tac." 

The  man  then  turned  to  his  roommate  who  was 
plainly  visible  in  bed,  and  asked : 

"Jim,  are  you  asleep?" 

"Yes"  sounded  off  a  voice  from  the  depths  of 
the  comforters. 

"He  says  he's  asleep,  sir." 

"Very   good,  cadet,"  replied  the  "Tac,"  and 


220 


West  Point 


quite  satisfied,  left  the  room,  just  in  time  to  es- 
cape the  outburst  of  laughter  that  followed  this 
highly  intellectual  conversation. 

To  be  always  under  the  observation  of  so  many 
pairs  of  keen  young  critical  eyes  is  sufficient  to 
make  any  officer  somewhat  self-conscious,  and  to 
give  a  certain  kink  and  twist  to  his  actions.  The 
cadets,  like  all  youth,  are  merciless  in  their  judg- 
ment, sometimes  almost  cruel.  They  are  ever  on 
the  alert  for  any  slip  that  the  "Tac"  may  make 
and  intolerantly  condemn  him.  But  so  responsive 
are  the  cadets  that  it  would  take  but  a  smile,  or  a 
word  or  so  bordering  on  intimacy,  to  remove  all 
critical  feelings  and  bring  about  "glad  confident 
morning. "  I  wonder  sometimes  why  that  so 
seldom  happens.  I  suppose  it  is  because  we  are 
all  artificial. 

Although  the  Tactical  officer  is  very  much 
occupied  with  the  interior  discipline  and  economy 
of  his  company,  the  greater  portion  of  his  time  is 
given  over  to  the  military  instruction  of  the  cadets. 
The  purpose  of  this  instruction  is  to  familiarize 
the  cadet  with  the  duties  and  needs  of  a  private 
in  the  ranks  by  practical  experience,  to  impress 
upon  his  character  the  habit  of  obedience,  and  to 
train  him  in  the  function  of  command  by  repeated 
exercise. 

In  order  best  to  accomplish  this  purpose,  the 
cadets  are  organized  into  two  battalions  of  four 
companies  each.  This  is  the  present  organization, 
but  as  soon  as  the  Corps  has  been  increased  to  the 


Lessons  from  Mars  221 

full  strength  recently  organized  by  Congress,  the 
Commandant  intends  to  make  a  regiment.  Al- 
though the  Tactical  officers  command  the  com- 
panies in  the  sense  that  they  are  the  supervisors 
of  the  discipline  and  administration,  the  actual 
commanding  of  the  companies  on  the  drill  ground  is 
entrusted  to  the  cadets.  Selected  men  perform 
all  of  the  duties  of  the  officers  and  non-com- 
missioned officers.  They  are  chosen  for  this 
honor  on  account  of  their  good  conduct  and 
studious  habits,  and  the  soldier-like  performance  of 
their  duties.  They  are  as  strict  and  conscientious 
in  upholding  the  Regulations  as  are  the  officers 
themselves.  As  a  matter  of  truth  they  are  more 
severe  because  they  seldom  take  it  upon  them- 
selves to  put  any  interpretation  upon  the  motive 
underlying  the  act.  A  thing  is  right  or  it  is  wrong. 
There  is  no  middle  line.  Whenever  any  cadet  is 
on  duty,  he  insists  that  all  under  him  obey  im- 
plicitly his  orders,  and  should  any  man  be  so  rash 
as  to  disregard  his  authority,  he  instantly  enters 
a  report  against  the  offender.  It  would  seem  that 
such  an  action  would  arouse  the  resentment  of  his 
fellow  cadets,  but  this  does  not  occur,  due  to  the 
honor  system  at  West  Point.  Cadets  generally 
recognize  that  their  attitude  toward  their  work 
must  be  different  from  the  student  at  the  average 
educational  institution  because  their  duties  are 
all  in  serious  preparation  for  their  future  careers. 
Of  course,  there  are  some  men  who  carry  their 
authority  too  far  when  they  find  themselves  in 


222 


West  Point 


command  of  their  fellows.  Sometimes  they  lack 
judgment  and  consequently  deserve  sympathy; 
sometimes  there  are  a  few  men  who  deliberately 
try  to  make  an  impression  upon  their  superiors 
at  the  expense  of  the  men  in  the  ranks.  These 
men  who  allow  their  desire  for  probable  advance- 
ment to  lead  them  astray  are  quickly  sized  up  by 
the  Corps,  and  dubbed  "quilloids."  They  are 
usually  disliked  and  made  to  feel  the  displeasure 
of  their  comrades.  In  nearly  every  class  there 
are  some  of  these  men  who  do  not  see  clearly,  and 
who  persist,  throughout  their  whole  course,  in 
placing  false  values  upon  trivialities. 

Since  the  cadets  are  organized  into  Infantry 
battalions,  the  greatest  amount  of  time  is  devoted 
to  the  work  of  this  arm.  There  are  many  reasons 
why  this  should  be  so.  The  Infantry  is  the  largest 
branch  of  the  Army,  and  to  it  is  assigned  the 
greatest  percentage  of  graduates.  Infantry  drill 
is  the  basis  of  all  drills  and  is  the  best  for  incul- 
cating discipline  and  cohesion  among  the  men. 
Besides,  the  Great  War  in  Europe  has  proven 
that  Infantry  is  still  the  Queen  of  Battle,  and  that 
all  of  the  other  branches,  the  Artillery,  the  Cavalry, 
the  Engineers,  the  Aviation  Corps  are  but  her 
minions.  It  is  the  Infantry  that  decides  the  fight. 

The  practical  military  instruction  of  the  cadets, 
although  carried  on  throughout  the  year,  varies 
in  intensity  at  different  periods.  In  the  depth  of 
winter  it  is  impossible  to  drill  out  of  doors.  The 
Infantry  instruction  is  then  suspended,  except 


Lessons  from  Mars  223 

for  the  daily  class  and  meal  formations.  When, 
however,  March  I5th  rolls  around,  the  Ides  of 
March  remember,  and  the  snow  leaves  the  ground, 
the  Corps  begins  its  annual  training.  Immedi- 
ately after  the  dismissal  of  the  sections  from 
recitations  at  four  o'clock,  the  battalions  form  in 
front  of  barracks  for  the  afternoon  drill.  Despite 
the  raw  March  winds  that  blow  across  the  Plain, 
chilling  one  to  the  marrow,  the  battalion  desig- 
nated for  Infantry  drill  sets  about  overcoming 
the  inequalities  of  marching,  the  lack  of  precision 
in  the  execution  of  the  manual,  raggedness  of  the 
movements  that  have  been  produced  by  the  long 
inactivity  of  the  winter.  It  is  at  this  period  that 
the  most  scrupulous  attention  must  be  paid  to  the 
manner  of  executing  the  various  movements. 
Every  little  dereliction  is  criticized,  every  mistake 
is  corrected,  and  every  movement  repeated  until 
it  can  be  faultlessly  performed. 

First  the  companies  are  drilled  alone  and  then 
later  assembled  for  a  short  battalion  drill  before 
going  back  to  barracks.  Up  and  down  the 
Plain  the  companies  march,  now  in  column,  now 
in  line.  The  right  guides  of  each  company  seem 
to  be  carrying  the  burden  of  the  drill  as  with  tense 
faces  they  fixedly  regard  the  two  points  upon  which 
they  are  directing  the  march  of  the  company. 
Meanwhile  they  are  measuring  their  step  by  a 
silent  count  of ' '  one- two-three-four. ' '  The  officers 
and  file  closers  are  attentive  and  alert,  giving  a 
word  of  caution  here  and  one  of  reprimand  there, 


224  West  Point 

as  the  line  crowds  in  on  the  left,  or,  like  an  accor- 
dion, opens  out  on  the  right.  The  plebes  in  the 
rear  rank  are  striving  to  the  utmost  to  keep  in  step 
and  on  the  line,  and  at  the  same  time  carry  their 
rifles  straight  and  drag  in  their  chins.  The  detail 
and  care  with  which  every  command  must  be 
executed  begins  to  produce  a  feeling  of  monotony, 
and  stolen  glances  seek  the  clock  in  the  tower. 
Fifteen  more  minutes!  The  hour  seems  intermin- 
able and  the  wind  more  and  more  disagreeable. 
Finally  the  hands  of  the  clock  roll  around  to  five 
and  the  musician  appears  in  the  sally-port  and 
sounds  the  recall. 

The  next  afternoon  the  second  battalion  at- 
tends close  order  drill  and  the  first  takes  its  place 
at  extended  order.  A  lighter  gayer  crowd  march 
forth  to  this  exercise.  Here  they  will  have  a 
little  chance  for  individual  leadership,  the  com- 
mand of  a  platoon  perhaps,  or  of  a  squad,  or  they 
will  enjoy  the  comparative  freedom  and  inde- 
pendence of  the  skirmisher.  In  the  early  part  of 
the  spring  course  the  mechanism  of  the  drill  must 
be  rehearsed  upon  the  Plain.  The  parade  ground 
is  therefore  dotted  with  prone  and  kneeling  groups 
of  platoon  columns  and  of  squad  columns.  The 
blast  of  the  officer's  whistle,  the  simultaneous 
outstretching  of  the  squad  and  platoon  leaders' 
arms  as  a  signal,  and  the  columns  magically 
deploy  into  one  long  line  of  skirmishers.  Once 
again  the  blast  of  the  whistle  sounds ;  more  signals ; 
bayonets  are  fixed  and  squads  begin  their  rushes 


Lessons  from  Mars  225 

forward  to  the  delight  of  the  small  boys  and 
visitors  who  line  the  surrounding  walks.  Then 
follows  the  assembly  and  the  companies  do  it  all 
over  again. 

As  soon  as  the  mechanism  is  well  learned,  the 
battalion  is  taken  up  into  the  hills  and  maneuvered 
over  all  sorts  of  ground.  Combat  problems  in- 
volving advance  guard  and  outposts  are  worked 
out  under  the  direction  of  the  Tactical  officer. 
In  these  exercises  the  actual  command  of  the 
companies  is  in  the  hands  of  the  cadets,  but  the 
Tactical  officer,  assisted  by  other  officers,  directs 
the  drill.  The  cadets  detailed  for  this  drill  called 
Field  Training  are  assembled  in  front  of  the 
old  gymnasium  where  the  officer  outlines  the 
problem  and  gives  the  men  a  talk  on  the  princi- 
ples that  are  involved.  Each  man  is  made  to 
understand  just  what  he  must  do  before  he  starts 
out  and  must  know  the  general  principles  to  be 
applied  in  cases  that  arise.  A  situation  is  assumed 
where  the  cadets  are  a  force  in  the  country 
of  the  enemy.  They  are  to  form,  we  will  say,  the 
advance  guard  of  their  regiment.  The  instructor 
gives  to  the  cadets  who  are  to  command  all  in- 
formation that  he  has  of  his  own  forces  and  of 
those  of  the  enemy  and  he  points  out  to  the 
young  commanders  what  is  to  be  accomplished. 
The  cadet  officers  are  then  called  upon  to  com- 
municate to  the  men  under  them  the  instructions 
that,  in  their  opinion,  are  necessary  to  accomplish 
the  mission.  The  officer  stands  near  to  make 
is 


226 


West  Point 


suggestions  and  corrections,  or  to  point  out  errors 
of  judgment.  As  soon  as  all  understand  what 
they  are  to  do  the  command  moves  out  to  work 
out  the  problem. 

It  is  in  the  Field  Training  of  the  Infantry  that 
the  cadet  acquires  a  real  knowledge  of  command. 
He  must  be  able  to  size  up  situations  and  quickly 
form  a  decision.  He  must  then  issue  orders, 
clear  and  definite,  to  cover  the  case.  It  is  in 
these  drills  that  he  learns  something  of  the  art 
of  handling  troops  and  what  is  the  feeling  of  re- 
sponsibility. The  cadets  who  actually  exercise 
command  are  the  First  Classmen.  They  are  de- 
tailed by  roster,  irrespective  of  whether  they  are 
privates  or  cadet  officers,  so  that  every  man  has 
many  opportunities  to  command  a  company  before 
he  graduates.  It  is  highly  important  that  the  cadet 
should  be  given  practice  in  appearing  before  a 
body  of  men  and  in  giving  them  instructions. 
Nothing  helps  so  much  to  give  him  confidence  in 
himself.  It  is  of  great  value  to  him  when  he  joins 
his  regiment  in  the  Service.  Cadets  of  the  First 
Class  are  therefore  detailed  for  every  kind  of  duty. 
They  are  company  commanders,  acting  adjutants, 
lieutenants,  officers  of  the  day  and  of  the  guard. 
Whenever  there  is  a  chance  to  place  responsibility 
upon  the  cadet,  advantage  is  taken  of  it  by  the 
Commandant. 

The  Infantry  instruction  is  progressive.  The 
First  Classmen  are  trained  in  more  advanced  work 
by  means  of  tactical  walks.  These  exercises  are 


Lessons  from  Mars  227 

similar  to  those  prescribed  for  officers  in  the 
Service  and  are  in  line  with  their  future  work  as 
subalterns.  An  officer  takes  four  or  five  men  with 
him  to  some  neighboring  terrain  well  adapted  to  a 
particular  problem.  All  of  the  different  phases 
of  the  problem  are  considered  and  the  cadets 
required  to  size  up  each  situation  and  issue  their 
orders  as  if  in  actual  warfare.  They  are  provided 
with  maps  which  they  must  be  able  to  read  with 
facility.  At  the  close  of  the  exercise  the  officer 
holds  a  critique. 

Nor  is  target  practice,  that  important  branch 
of  Infantry  instruction,  neglected.  In  summer 
when  the  cadets  are  in  camp,  the  complete  course 
of  firing  as  prescribed  for  Infantry  and  Cavalry 
troops  is  given  the  First  Class.  It  is  held  down 
on  the  flats  near  the  river  in  the  shelter  of  Cro's 
Nest  where  a  fair  range  parallels  the  Hudson. 
Every  clear  morning  at  seven  the  detachments 
march  down  to  the  range.  At  this  hour  the 
air  is  cool  and  crisp  and  so  crystalline  that  every 
feature  of  the  landscape  stands  out  sharply  de- 
fined. West  Point  is  incomparably  beautiful 
at  this  season  and  time  of  the  day.  But  as  the 
sun  mounts  higher  in  the  Heavens  the  coolness 
is  replaced  by  a  steadily  increasing  heat.  From 
the  arrival  at  the  range  until  noon,  Washington 
Valley  echoes  with  the  crack !  crack !  of  the  Spring- 
fields.  Little  groups  of  cadets  are  stretched  out 
in  the  blazing  sun  trying  to  find  the  bull's  eye  and 
hoping  to  pile  up  a  big  enough  score  to  win  the 


228  West  Point 

coveted  medal  of  Expert  Rifleman  or  Sharp- 
shooter. Meanwhile  another  portion  of  the  men 
is  down  behind  the  butts,  taking  its  turn  in 
shifting  the  targets.  All  morning  long  they 
monotonously  pull  the  frames  up  and  down, 
pasting  on  the  target,  now  a  white  paster,  now  a 
black  one,  or  mechanically  waving  the  red  flag 
back  and  forth.  Intermittently  the  telephone 
rings : ' '  Ting-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling. ' ' 

"Re-mark  No.  8!"  sings  out  the  operator. 

Careful  search  is  made  on  No.  8  for  the  third 
time  and  up  goes  the  red  flag,  the  sight  of  which 
fills  the  hopeful  cadet  back  at  the  firing  point 
with  a  feeling  of  disappointment  and  disgust. 
And  so  the  morning  passes,  the  men  firing  so 
interested  that  they  are  oblivious  of  its  flight,  and 
the  men  in  the  butts  thinking  less  of  pasters  and 
red  flags  than  of  the  cool  shower  that  waits  them 
in  camp,  and  blessed  dinner. 

If  one  wishes,  however,  to  see  the  finished  re- 
sults of  the  discipline  and  cohesion  produced  by 
Infantry  training  he  must  attend  either  a  review 
and  inspection  by  the  Corps,  or  a  parade. 

Every  Saturday,  shortly  after  the  return  of  the 
cadets  from  dinner,  there  is  an  inspection  on  the 
Plain,  preceded  by  a  review,  at  which  the  appear- 
ance, clothing,  and  equipment  of  the  cadet  are 
minutely  examined  by  his  Tactical  officer.  I 
know  of  no  finer  sight  at  West  Point  than  this 
ceremony,  especially  in  the  summer  and  early  fall 
when  the  Plain  is  green  and  the  cadets  wear  the 


Lessons  from  Mars  229 

excellent  combination  of  the  gray  coats  and  white 
trousers.  As  the  companies  maneuver  on  the 
Plain  preparatory  to  taking  their  places  on  the  line, 
the  perfection  of  their  marching,  their  impeccable 
appearance,  the  white  cross-belts,  the  glittering 
breastplates,  and  bell  buttons  of  coat,  the  foreign- 
looking  dress  hat  with  its  rigid  little  pompon, 
the  splendid  bearing  of  the  men,  betray  the 
beholder  into  believing  that  he  is  watching  the 
evolutions  of  some  legendary  corps  d 'elite.  The 
scene  seems  foreign  and  yet  again  very  American. 
The  most  characteristic  feature  is  the  thorough- 
ness with  which  every  detail  of  dress,  equipment, 
and  marching  has  been  worked  out.  When 
the  Corps  turns  the  bend  near  Sedgwick  monument 
and  comes  swinging  down  past  the  reviewing 
officer,  the  most  callous  spectator  could  not  fail 
to  have  his  emotions  stirred.  His  pride  is  flattered. 
He  is  watching  a  ceremony  whose  perfection  of 
execution  and  beauty  is  symbolic  of  an  institution 
that  in  a  sense  belongs  to  him,  to  the  man  next  to 
him,  and  to  all  the  spectators  along  the  line. 
It  is  the  product  of  America.  No  wonder  he  rever- 
ently removes  his  hat  as  the  colors  march  by. 

No  less  beautiful  although  not  so  elaborate  is  the 
ceremony  of  parade.  During  the  spring  and  fall, 
daily  parades  are  given  by  the  battalion  that  has 
attended  infantry  drill  on  that  day.  The  drum- 
mers sound  the  first  call  in  the  sally-port.  The 
Area  of  Barracks  is  practically  deserted,  but  within 
the  rooms  cadets  are  feverishly  adjusting  their 


230  West  Point 

belts,  wiping  off  their  guns,  struggling  into  their 
coats,  or  looking  for  mislaid  breastplates.  Out 
of  the  doors  all  at  once  begin  to  dart  the  plebes, 
first  one  then  another,  and  still  others.  They 
hastily  proceed  to  their  places  on  the  walk  and 
mark  the  rear  rank.  The  hands  of  the  clock 
slowly  creeping  around  to  the  hour  for  the  assembly 
are  watched  intently  by  the  Officer  of  the  Day  who 
stands  in  the  sally-port  ready  to  give  the  signal. 
From  all  the  doors  of  the  barracks  are  now 
pouring  the  upper-classmen  immaculately  dressed 
in  stiffly  starched  and  evenly  creased  white  trou- 
sers, gleaming  white  belts,  and  shining  buckles. 
Their  faces  are  so  obscured  by  the  chin  strap  of 
their  high  dress  hat  that  all  personalities  are  lost, 
and  each  man  appears  to  be  the  duplicate  of  his 
fellow.  The  picturesqueness  of  the  uniforms 
and  the  background  of  the  severe  stone  barracks 
recall  the  days  of  Frederick  the  Great.  The 
assembly  sounds.  At  once  the  companies  are 
formed  and  inspected.  They  proceed  to  their 
places  in  the  sally-ports  and  between  the  neigh- 
boring buildings  preparatory  to  debouching  on 
the  Plain.  At  the  termination  of  the  Adjutant's 
call  the  band  begins  its  march.  One  company 
emerges  unexpectedly  from  the  north  sally-port, 
another  from  the  south,  another  from  near  the 
Academic  building,  still  one  more  from  the  shadow 
of  the  old  gymnasium.  More  of  them  keep  coming 
and  move  out  on  the  Plain.  The  fresh  green 
grass  offers  a  charming  contrast  to  the  white 


Lessons  from  Mars  231 

of  the  uniforms  as  the  companies  perform  their 
evolutions  before  advancing  to  the  line.  The 
Plain  is  dotted  with  companies  in  column,  com- 
panies in  line,  companies  in  columns  of  platoons, 
marching  in  perfect  cadence  as  if  animated  by 
machinery. 

The  line  is  now  formed  stretching  from  the 
flag  pole  to  the  trees  in  front  of  barracks.  A  few 
minutes  of  silence  reign  over  the  parade  while 
the  Adjutant  moves  smartly  and  rapidly  to  his 
place  in  front  of  the  Battalion,  and  by  command, 
brings  the  Corps  to  "parade  rest."  The  golden 
sun  sinking  in  the  west  plays  its  dying  rays  on  the 
long  gray  line,  causing  the  men  in  ranks  to  blink 
and  blink  on  account  of  its  brilliancy,  and  illu- 
minating the  bell  buttons  of  the  dress  coats  until 
they  sparkle  like  so  many  gems.  Meanwhile,  the 
band  has  marched  in  front  of  the  Corps  and 
resumed  its  place  on  the  right.  The  retreat 
sounds.  Then  a  hush  falls  over  the  visitors'  seats 
as  the  spectators  rise  to  do  honor  to  the  flag, 
while  the  neighboring  hills  reverberate  with  the 
strains  of  the  Star  Spangled  Banner.  The  exercise 
in  the  manual  of  arms  being  terminated,  the  band 
once  again  crashes  forth  and  the  thin  gray  line  of 
cadet  officers,  with  their  feathered  plumes  flutter- 
ing and  the  knots  of  their  red  ashes  swinging  back 
and  forth,  sweeps  forward  to  the  officer  reviewing 
the  parade.  Smart  salutes  are  exchanged,  the  cadet 
officers  face  about  and  return  to  their  companies 
to  march  them  in  review  and  back  to  barracks. 


232  West  Point 

Hand  in  hand  with  the  Infantry  instruction 
goes  that  of  the  Cavalry  to  which  is  allotted  the 
next  greatest  amount  of  time  in  the  schedule  of 
training.  Cadets  are  taught  the  fundamentals  of 
every  branch  of  the  Service,  and  all  cadets  receive 
instruction  in  riding  and  in  Cavalry  tactics  whether 
or  not  they  are  destined  for  that  arm.  Infantry 
officers  must  know  how  to  ride  as  well  as  those  of 
the  mounted  branches.  Frequently  their  duties 
require  them  to  be  mounted,  and  when  they  arrive 
at  the  grade  of  field  officer,  major,  and  above, 
they  are  obliged  to  command  their  troops  from  the 
back  of  a  horse.  It  is  only  during  their  first  year 
at  the  Academy  that  cadets  do  not  attend  cavalry 
instruction.  When  they  become  Third  Classmen 
their  acquaintance  with  the  horse  begins.  Cadets 
must  be  taught  to  ride  before  they  can  be  ad- 
vanced to  the  tactics  of  the  cavalry,  and  as  a 
matter  of  fact,  learning  to  ride  well  takes  so  much 
of  the  allotted  time  that  comparatively  little  is 
left  for  the  cavalry  problems.  The  cadets  who 
join  this  branch  of  the  service  will  learn  their 
cavalry  tactics  chiefly  in  the  Army. 

Beginning  with  the  Yearlings,  therefore,  lessons 
are  given  in  equitation,  outdoors  in  good  weather 
and  in  the  magnificent  Riding  Hall  during  the 
winter.  At  first  life  in  the  Riding  Hall  is  hard  for 
those  men  who  have  never  before  ridden,  but  once 
they  learn  the  art  of  "sticking  on"  they  enjoy  the 
exercise  that  riding  affords.  The  first  few  weeks 
are  particularly  trying.  When  the  Yearlings 


Lessons  from  Mars  233 

march  in  upon  the  spongy  tanbark,  they  find 
themselves  face  to  face  with  a  whole  row  of  bare- 
back horses  lined  up  along  one  side  of  the  hall. 
The  animals  are  champing  their  bits  and  wagging 
their  heads  apparently  in  sheer  joy  of  the  anticipa- 
tion of  "policing"  a  few  victims.  Little  chills 
run  up  and  down  the  spines  of  the  Yearlings  and 
their  bodies  are  covered  with  goose  flesh  as  they 
read  the  challenge  in  the  eyes  of  the  beasts. 

"Fall  out!"  orders  the  instructor.  Ranks  are 
broken  and  the  men  run  over  to  the  grinning 
horses,  scrutinizing  them  with  breathless  im- 
patience, first  one,  then  the  other,  hoping  to 
catch  a  sight  of  a  kind  and  gentle  glance. 

11 1.  Prepare  to  mount!  2.  Moun-n-n-n-t ! " 
commands  the  instructor  in  a  sepulchral  voice. 
Then  follow  frantic  efforts  to  climb  the  slippery 
hides — ineffectual  jumps  succeeded  by  sudden 
descents.  Finally  they  get  aboard  and  all  goes 
well  until  the  heartless  instructor  intones: 

"  Slow  trot.    March-h-h-h-h-h !" 

Such  efforts  at  balancing  never  before  were 
seen!  One  man  on  a  razorback  tries  every  spot 
from  the  mane  to  the  croup  in  an  attempt  to  find 
one  little  piece  of  hide  whereon  he  might  sit  in 
peace  and  quiet;  another  on  an  imitation  Per- 
cheron  wabbles  most  dangerously  and  falls  off 
going  around  the  curve;  another  is  firmly  grasping 
the  mane,  or  tugging  at  the  iron  mouth  of  some 
malicious  brute  that  insists  upon  holding  its  head 
high,  with  both  ears  bent  back  to  enjoy  the 


234  West  Point 

muttered  curses  of  the  rider.  The  galleries  are 
lined  with  the  daily  visitors  who  smile  gleefully 
upon  the  embryo  cavalrymen,  but  the  distressed 
Yearling's  gaze  turns  reproachfully  toward  the 
spot  where  the  young  girls  of  the  Post  may  be 
seen  bunched  together  and  giggling. 

As  the  days  pass  by  the  Yearling  finds  that  his 
seat  becomes  more  and  more  secure  and  by  the 
time  that  he  has  arrived  at  the  dignity  of  a  Second 
Classman  he  feels  that  he  is  able  to  cope  with  the 
wildest  of  the  equine  breed.  During  the  first 
year  the  drill  was  more  or  less  drudgery,  but  after 
twelve  months  of  practice  he  enjoys  the  lessons. 
He  feels  the  pleasure  that  comes  from  the  ability 
to  make  one's  muscles  obey  the  will,  to  feel  the 
horse  yielding  to  the  slightest  touch  of  leg  or  rein. 
The  thrill  of  the  leap  over  the  ditch  and  of  the 
jump  over  the  wall  are  sensations  that  he  loves. 
Later  on  when  he  goes  out  to  the  cavalry  drill 
ground  for  instruction  in  tactics,  it  is  the  gallop 
and  the  charge  en  masse  that  give  a  new  meaning 
to  the  word  "  drill."  It  is  no  longer  a  task  but  a 
pleasure. 

His  progress  in  handling  his  horse  enables  him 
to  proceed  to  mounted  pistol  practice  and  to 
enjoy  the  privilege  of  riding  on  the  road,  and  of 
polo.  By  the  time  that  he  has  become  a  First 
Classman  he  is  ready  to  devote  his  time  not  so  much 
to  equitation  as  to  real  Cavalry  instruction.  He 
learns  how  to  reconnoiter,  how  to  patrol.  As  in 
his  Infantry  instruction,  he  must  solve  problems 


Lessons  from  Mars  235 

innumerable:  the  forming  of  the  advance  and 
rear  guards,  the  establishing  of  outposts,  making 
and  breaking  camp,  the  proper  conduct  of  the 
march,  how  to  care  for  his  horse  the  same  as  though 
he  were  an  enlisted  man.  He  must  groom  him, 
feed  him,  and  water  him.  He  is  called  upon 
to  perform  every  duty  that  is  required  of  enlisted 
men  in  the  Cavalry  so  that  when  he  shall  become  an 
officer,  he  will  know  just  how  much  to  expect  of 
his  men.  He  will  so  understand  the  fatigue  of 
grooming,  the  difficulty  of  managing  some  horses, 
and  the  impossibility  of  always  being  alert  and 
attentive  that  he  will  be  patient  and  sympathetic, 
judging  his  men  by  their  limited  advantages  and 
not  by  the  standard  that  he  has  attained  through 
a  training  par  excellence. 

Portions  of  the  Cavalry  instruction  are  devoted 
to  hippology  and  to  packing.  In  hippology  the 
cadets  study  a  text-book  upon  which  they  recite, 
but  in  addition  they  are  frequently  taken  to  the 
stables  where  all  types  of  horses  are  trotted  out 
for  their  inspection  and  criticism.  They  must  be 
able  to  tell  all  of  the  horse's  good  and  bad  points 
and  must  be  conversant  with  the  remedies  for  the 
ordinary  diseases.  The  packing  is  entirely  practi- 
cal. A  pack  train  is  kept  at  West  Point  for  the 
use  of  the  cadets,  and  they  are  drilled  in  putting 
up  an  aparejo  and  packing  the  mules.  They  must 
be  experts  in  throwing  the  diamond  hitch. 

The  branch  of  the  Service,  however,  that  is  more 
closely  allied  to  the  Infantry  than  the  Cavalry 


236  West  Point 

is  the  Field  Artillery.  They  are  indeed  brother 
arms.  In  the  fight  the  Artillery  must  prepare  the 
way  for  the  Infantry,  using  its  powerful  explo- 
sive shells  to  demoralize  and  decimate  the  enemy 
so  that  the  Infantry's  task,  hard  enough  at  best, 
may  be  made  easier.  Among  the  cadets  the  Field 
Artillery  is  a  popular  branch  of  the  training  almost 
rivaling  the  Cavalry.  The  course  of  instruction 
is  splendidly  progressive.  During  Fourth-Class 
year,  the  plebes  learn  all  about  the  instruments, 
how  to  set  the  sights,  to  read  the  scales,  the  use 
of  the  quadrant,  and  to  perform  the  duties  of 
cannoneer.  By  the  time  that  they  go  into  their 
Yearling  camp  each  individual  is  sufficiently 
trained  to  be  a  good  gunner,  so  that  the  class 
is  ready  to  receive  instruction  both  in  the  squad 
acting  alone,  and  as  part  of  a  battery.  During 
the  fall  and  drill  periods  of  the  Third- Class  year, 
the  Yearlings  are  called  upon  to  perform  the  duties 
of  driver,  sometimes  wheel  driver  and  again  lead 
driver.  As  in  the  Cavalry  instruction,  the  cadets 
must  learn  all  of  the  duties  of  enlisted  men. 
Their  experience  as  drivers  will  teach  them  how 
hard  it  is  to  bring  horses  and  carriage  to  a  stop  at  a 
designated  place,  how  difficult  it  is  to  estimate 
the  ground  correctly,  and  how  a  man's  patience 
can  be  tried  by  fractious  and  unruly  beasts. 

The  members  of  the  Second  Class  are  taught 
in  the  fall  the  technique  of  the  mountain  battery, 
and  in  the  spring  they  act  as  officers  at  the  drill  of 
the  field  battery  while  the  First  Classmen  who  have 


I 


Lessons  from  Mars  237 

already  passed  through  this  stage  of  the  training 
are  detailed  to  command  the  organization.  The 
First  Classmen  also  spend  a  great  deal  of  their  time 
upon  the  theory  of  artillery  fire,  and  practice 
accumulating  firing  data.  During  the  First-Class 
camp  they  conduct  regular  target  practice  with 
the  battery. 

The  course  in  Field  Artillery  has  been  vastly 
improved  in  recent  years.  All  of  the  instruction 
is  given  by  Field  Artillery  officers,  and  non-com- 
missioned officers  who  are  specialists  along  certain 
lines,  instead  of  as  in  former  days  by  a  stray 
Infantry,  Cavalry,  or  Coast  Artillery  Tactical 
officer.  All  the  plebe  drill  period  at  that  time 
seemed  to  be  consumed  in  jumping  up  on  the  cais- 
son and  off  again.  I  always  felt  like  a  squirrel  in 
a  cage  going  round  and  round  without  getting 
anywhere.  Sometimes,  too,  the  instructions  that 
the  officer  gave  us  were  a  little  mixed  to  say  the 
least.  I  remember  once  an  instructor  to  whom 
Field  Artillery  was  an  alien  art  giving  us  at  drill 
the  following  order  much  to  the  merriment  of  the 
plebes : 

"The  cadets  will  now  be  divided  into  three 
squads:  those  that  have  fired,  those  that  have  not 
fired,  and  those  that  have  done  neither. " 

There  are  other  drills  in  the  cadet's  military 
calendar  besides  those  of  the  three  main  branches  of 
the  mobile  army.  No  little  attention  is  given  to 
Practical  Military  Engineering.  In  camp  one  third 
of  the  class  spends  four  hours  of  the  day  practicing 


238  West  Point 

the  various  methods  of  signaling,  how  to  make 
knots  and  lashes,  how  to  construct  gabions  and 
fascines,  how  to  use  tackle,  and  how  to  construct 
bridges.  The  First  Class  make  position  and  road 
sketches,  they  lay  out  field  fortifications,  and  dig 
trenches.  They  learn  the  use  of  explosives,  the 
placing  of  mines,  and  the  dynamiting  of  trees, 
buildings,  and  railroads.  During  the  Academic 
year  the  Department  of  Practical  Military  Engi- 
neering gives  the  Fourth  Class  a  thorough  course 
in  surveying  that  embraces  both  theory  and  prac- 
tical work  with  the  instruments  in  the  field. 

The  Tactical  Department  is  charged  with  the 
instruction  of  the  Coast  Artillery.  Several  mod- 
ern batteries,  both  rifles  and  mortars,  are  installed 
at  West  Point  so  that  the  cadets  may  have  every 
facility  for  learning  the  technique  of  this  arm. 
The  Yearlings  act  as  gunners,  performing  the  same 
duties  that  are  required  of  privates  in  the  Regular 
Army.  The  Second  Classmen  act  as  gun  pointers, 
range  and  azimuth  setters,  do  the  plotting  and 
observing,  or,  in  other  words,  perform  the  duties 
of  non-commissioned  officers  in  the  Regular  Ser- 
vice. The  First  Classmen  act  as  battery  officers 
or  as  range  officers,  so  that  upon  graduation  they 
may  join  their  commands  fully  acquainted  with 
their  prospective  duties. 

After  the  Corps  has  been  given  the  maximum 
of  military  training  for  any  one  year,  a  week's 
practice  march  is  held  as  a  climax  to  the  intensive 
work  of  the  summer  camp.  With  band  playing 


Lessons  from  Mars  239 

and  with  all  the  panoply  of  war  the  cadets  march 
down  to  the  ferry  to  cross  to  the  other  side  of  the 
Hudson.  For  the  next  six  days  they  march  and 
maneuver  through  the  beautiful  country  in  the 
neighborhood  of  West  Point.  Every  day  camp  is 
established  at  a  new  point  and  a  problem  worked 
out  on  the  march  from  one  place  to  the  other.  All 
branches  of  the  Service  are  represented.  The  main 
body  of  the  Corps  go  as  Infantry,  but  the  First 
Class  make  up  the  Cavalry  and  Field  Artillery. 
The  ''hike"  is  a  valuable  experience  for  the  cadets. 
They  learn  what  it  means  to  be  a  "doughboy" 
and  carry  a  pack  on  one's  back  through  the  swelter- 
ing heat  and  the  dust  of  the  road.  They  appre- 
ciate how  tired  the  Cavalryman  and  the  Field 
Artilleryman  are  when  they  throw  themselves  down 
in  their  pup  tents  after  the  labors  of  the  day.  Their 
understanding  of  real  soldiering  is  broadened  and 
their  sympathy  for  the  duties  that  enlisted  men 
have  to  perform,  awakened.  They  return  to  the 
Post,  footsore  and  weary,  prepared  to  take  up 
their  studies  in  barracks  and  continue  their  mili- 
tary training  in  the  limited  time  after  recitations. 
During  the  entire  year  all  military  instruction 
ceases  at  six  o'clock  in  the  evening.  Military 
methods  are,  however,  inextricably  woven  into 
every  part  of  the  cadet  life  in  addition  to  what 
might  be  called  purely  military  training.  All 
during  the  evening  study  period,  for  example,  a 
certain  number  of  cadets  are  on  guard  in  the  hall 
of  the  divisions  to  prevent  the  cadets  from  visiting 


240  West  Point 

in  each  other's  rooms,  and  to  preserve  the  utmost 
silence  in  the  barracks.  The  only  noise  that  can 
be  heard  is  the  tread  of  the  sentinel  who  walks 
back  and  forth  wrapped  in  his  own  thoughts 
that  occasionally  are  interrupted  by  the  Corporal 
of  the  Guard  sticking  his  head  in  at  the  door 
and  saying : 

"All  right  on  your  post?" 

"All  right,  sir,"  answers  the  sentinel,  who  as 
soon  as  his  superior  disappears  replunges  into  his 
reverie  until  time  for  his  relief. 

At  twenty  minutes  past  nine  a  preliminary 
tapping  of  the  drums  is  heard  on  the  Plain  near  the 
Commandant's  quarters.  A  few  minutes  of  silence 
ensue.  Then  the  music  of  the  fifes  and  drums 
startles  the  night  as  the  drum  corps  commences 
its  march  to  barracks  to  sound  tattoo.  The 
notes  of  the  fifes  float  out  over  the  darkened  Plain 
in  the  weirdest  possible  manner,  as  if  the  spirits 
of  the  night  were  trying  to  be  gay  but  could  not 
suppress  a  certain  plaintiveness  in  spite  of  their 
joy.  They  are  like  a  little  boy  going  upstairs  in 
the  dark  who  keeps  saying  out  loud,  "I'm  not 
afraid,  I'm  not  afraid."  On  they  come,  the 
music  growing  louder  and  louder,  until  they  reach 
the  sally-port  where  their  racket  is  a  signal  to  the 
cadets  to  cease  work  and  make  down  their  beds. 
Some  of  the  men  are  already  asleep,  but  the  vast 
majority  are  still  sitting  at  tables,  supporting 
their  heads  on  their  hands  as  they  try  to  absorb 
the  meaning  of  the  printed  words  that  dance 


Lessons  from  Mars  241 

before  their  eyes.  The  Drum  Corps  has  ceased 
to  play  and  stands  near  the  Guard  House  wait- 
ing for  half-past  nine.  The  silence  of  the  Area 
is  broken  only  by  the  tramp  of  the  third  relief 
marching  around  the  stoop  of  barracks  from  one 
division  to  another. 

"No.  i.     Off!"  commands  the  Corporal. 

The  sentinel  joins  his  leader  and  passes  on  to 
relieve  the  other  sentinels.  Meanwhile  the  hands 
of  the  clock  indicate  nine-thirty.  The  "Hell 
Cats"  sound  the  tattoo.  For  the  next  half -hour 
the  barracks  are  animated  with  cadets  running 
up  and  down  stairs  to  the  showers,  with  the  noise 
of  beds  being  made  down  and  water  drawn. 
Gradually  ten  o'clock  draws  near.  The  Officer 
of  the  Day  standing  in  the  Area  turns  to  the 
musicians : 

"Sound  taps!"  he  commands. 

THUMP!  THUMP!  THUMP!  goes  the  drum  in 
measured  beat. 

" Li-i-i-i-i-ghts  out!"  call  the  subdivision  in- 
spectors. The  windows  of  the  barracks  seem  to 
blink  for  a  moment  and  then  darkness  envelops 
all  of  the  rooms. 

And  so  ends  the  day  that  has  been  continually 
under  the  eyes  of  the  Tactical  Department.  The 
next  day  will  be  the  same  and  the  next  and  the 
next.  Next  year,  too,  the  mills  of  the  Gods  will 
be  grinding  away  bending,  twisting,  shaping 
Mr.  Ducrot  for  his  future  work.  No  act  of  his 
is  passed  unnoticed  or  unrecorded.  Every  time 

16 


242  West  Point 

that  he  performs  a  duty  the  "Tacs"  give  him  a 
mark  that  goes  toward  determining  his  standing 
in  military  efficiency  and  deportment.  This  is 
as  it  should  be  because  the  attitude  toward  duty 
that  he  displays  as  a  cadet  is  a  good  indication  of  his 
future  attitude  as  an  officer,  and  to  deny  to  merit, 
talents,  and  acquirements  their  just  rewards 
would  be  to  check  the  emulation  which  brings 
genius  into  action  and  qualifies  the  industrious 
student  to  become  an  ornament  to  his  country. 

The  object  of  the  Tactical  Department  is  to 
make  the  cadets  loyal,  obedient,  and  disciplined 
young  soldiers.  It  requires  them  to  perform  all 
of  the  duties  of  the  enlisted  men  of  the  Army  as  a 
method  of  understanding  what  an  officer  can 
demand  of  his  men.  They  can  then  go  to  their 
regiments  with  a  sympathetic  understanding  of 
the  trials  and  thorns  in  the  path  of  the  men  for 
whose  lives  they  are  responsible.  Moreover  the 
"Tacs"  aim  to  give  the  cadet  a  good  training  in 
the  fundamental  principles  of  the  tactics  of  each 
arm  so  that  he  leaves  the  Academy  prepared  to 
take  up  the  duties  of  a  subaltern.  He  is  not 
supposed  to  leave  West  Point  with  the  knowledge 
of  a  colonel  as  some  seem  to  think. 

In  our  present  war  with  Germany,  West  Point 
will  continue  to  send  forth  her  product  as  heretofore 
to  help  train  the  immense  number  of  recruits 
for  the  new  Army.  They  will  be  called  upon  to 
train  also  the  new  officers  that  are  needed  for  the 
large  force  that  we  will  raise,  and  to  this  task 


Lessons  from  Mars  243 

they  must  bring  not  only  a  practical  knowledge 
of  certain  drills,  but  a  mind  capable  of  thinking 
straight.  They  will  lend  all  of  the  aid  that  is 
possible  but  they  realize  also  that  in  training 
officers,  drill  and  mechaniqal  maneuvers,  however 
useful  they  may  be,  are  subordinate  to  the  more 
rare  and  difficult  acquirements  that  alone  can 
produce  accomplished  and  scientific  officers.  What 
is  chiefly  needed  in  an  officer  is  acuteness  of 
intellect,  either  the  result  of  genius  or  habits  of 
reasoning  on  scientific  subjects.  To  this  of  course 
must  be  added  tactical  knowledge,  the  foundation 
of  which  is  securely  laid  at  West  Point. 

In  the  immense  army  that  will  soon  be  ours,  the 
graduates  of  West  Point  will  indeed  be  a  small 
leaven,  but  I  am  confident  they  will  bring  to  this 
mass  of  raw  soldier  material  the  ideals  and  the 
spirit  of  their  Alma  Mater.  They  will  not  forget 
the  lessons  learned  at  her  knee,  but  will  justify 
to  the  nation  that  has  given  them  their  education 
the  soundness  of  West  Point's  methods  of  train- 
ing officers. 


CHAPTER  X 

HENCE,   LOATHED  MELANCHOLY! 

FOR  days  and  days  groups  of  Army  Service 
Corps  men  going  around  the  Post  clipping 
the  trees,  mowing  the  grass  on  the  Plain,  and  daub- 
ing with  black  paint  the  cannon  on  Trophy  Point 
have  been  heralding  the  approach  of  June.  The 
odors  of  the  fresh  grass  and  of  the  tar  in  the  gutters 
are  exhilarating  smells  for  every  cadet  in  the 
Corps.  There  are  buoyancy  and  hope  in  their 
manner  and  a  decided  note  of  anticipation  in  the 
air.  This  feeling  of  anticipation  is  the  greatest 
charm  of  a  cadet's  life.  It  really  begins  with  the 
candidate  before  he  enters  the  Academy.  He 
anticipates  his  entrance;  then  as  a  plebe,  he  looks 
forward  with  even  greater  pleasure  to  the  day  of 
his  "recognition"  when  he  shall  become  an  upper- 
classman.  Words  are  too  weak  to  express  the 
eagerness  with  which,  as  a  Yearling,  he  sees  the 
spring  slip  by  and  June  arrive  bringing  with  it  his 
long  desired  furlough.  And  then  he  has  before 
his  eyes  the  seeming  El  Dorado  of  graduation. 

Our  plebe,  Mr.  Ducrot,  is  especially  on  the  gui 
vive  for  the  passage  of  the  days.     Ever  since  the 

244 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      245 

snow  left  the  Plain  and  the  surrounding  hills,  and 
the  first  little  blades  of  grass  began  to  peep  through 
the  boggy  spring  earth,  his  attitude  toward  life 
.has  somehow  seemed  different.  For  the  past 
ten  months  he  has  led  the  life  of  an  obscure  being, 
like  the  silk  worm  in  his  cocoon  spinning  his  silk. 
He  has  almost  completed  his  work  of  the  plebe 
year  and  is  about  to  emerge  from  his  shell.  For  a 
few  weeks  he  is  seized  with  the  languor  of  spring. 
The  drills  while  not  irksome  seem  unduly  long;  the 
lessons  harder  to  prepare.  But  as  the  days  of  May 
fly  by  he  feels  his  wings  growing  stronger  and 
stronger  and  the  spring  fever  is  forgotten  in  the 
anticipation  of  being  a  Yearling. 

At  last  the  first  of  June  arrives !  At  reveille  even , 
everyone  is  happy.  He  tries  his  best  to  answer 
about  a  dozen  upper- classmen  who  ask  him  all  at 
once,  "Mr.  Ducrot,  how  many  days  until  June?" 

"No  days  until  June,  sir!"  he  replies  in  a  voice 
that  vibrates  with  joy.  It  is  hard  for  Mr.  Ducrot 
to  believe  that  the  day  that  he  has  so  long  antici- 
pated is  here.  It  has  been  so  long  coming.  He 
cannot  be  mistaken,  however,  for  all  around 
him  are  cadets  in  fresh  white  trousers,  the  first 
time  since  the  previous  summer.  He  knows 
that  for  years  and  years  it  has  been  the  custom 
for  "the  Battalion  to  go  into  white'*  on  the  first 
of  June,  at  reveille.  Only  a  few  days  now  remain 
before  he  will  put  aside  his  humility  and  meekness 
and  be  received  by  the  upper- classmen  upon 
terms  of  equality. 


246  West  Point 

The  great  metamorphosis  or  "recognition,"  as 
it  is  called,  occurs  upon  the  day  before  gradua- 
tion, immediately  after  the  return  of  the  Battalion 
from  supper,  and  just  prior  to  the  graduation  ball. 
On  this  night,  at  supper  formation  and  in  the 
Mess  Hall,  the  upper-classmen  are  particularly 
severe.  They  "brace"  and  "crawl"  the  plebes 
more  than  ever  before,  filling  the  air  with,  "Get 
your  shoulders  back,  Mr.  Ducrot,  more  yet !  more 
yet!"  or,  "Draw  in  that  chin!"  On  this  night, 
however,  the  whole  affair  seems  humorous,  for  the 
plebes  have  completed  their  year  and  the  upper- 
classmen  are  now  about  to  extend  to  them  a 
warm  handclasp.  In  order  not  to  let  the  plebe 
training  fizzle  out  or  have  an  inglorious  end, 
the  rigor  of  the  "crawling"  that  for  months  has 
diminished  little  by  little  is  all  at  once  revived 
with  great  earnestness  and  enthusiasm.  No  one 
minds,  however,  but  regards  this  last  evening's 
treatment  more  as  a  "grind,"  or  joke. 

After  supper  the  battalions  form  in  front  of  the 
Mess  Hall  and  march  back  to  the  barracks  in  the 
soft  June  twilight.  To  the  observer  at  a  distance, 
a  roar  seems  to  arise  from  the  ranks  as  the  corpor- 
als, sergeants,  and  lieutenants  hurl  corrections  at 
the  plebes.  The  noise  continues  until'the  Corps 
wheels  into  line  to  listen  to  the  orders  of  the  first 
captain  standing  under  the  trees  in  front  of  the 
barracks  consulting  with  the  Officer  of  the  Day. 
The  various  instructions  and  orders  having  been 
announced  he  commands: 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      247 

"  Dismiss  your  companies ! " 

At  once  the  upper-classmen  in  the  front  ranks 
turn  and  cordially  grasp  the  hands  of  the  plebes 
and  slap  them  on  the  back,  the  first  time  in  a  year 
since  their  arrival  at  West  Point.  All  of  the 
dreariness  of  a  year's  subjection  is  dissipated  by 
the  affectionate  and  fraternal  welcome  in  the  Corps 
proper  by  the  upper-classmen,  whose  strong  grips 
are  to  the  plebe  a  sufficient  reward  for  the  hard- 
ships of  the  year  just  completed.  Friendships 
whose  seeds  were  sown,  but  prevented  from 
growing  by  the  great  gulf  between  upper-class- 
men and  plebes,  now  find  their  fullest  op- 
portunity for  development.  The  Rubicon  is 
passed,  and  our  plebe  lays  aside  his  sackcloth- 
and-ashes  manner  for  the  more  man-of-the- 
world  one  of  a  Yearling.  And  richly  does  he 
deserve  this  recompense  for  his  manliness  and 
grit !  Following  Kipling's  advice  in  If,  he  has  for 
a  long  year  (sometimes  by  force  majeure)  filled 
"the  unforgiving  minute  with  sixty  seconds' 
worth  of  distance  run,"  so  that  his  "recognition" 
by  his  fellow  cadets  means  that  he  is  stamped 
approved,  and  that  he  is  entitled  to  associate 
with  real  men. 

Mr.  Ducrot  is  now  entitled  to  enjoy  all  the 
privileges  allowed  the  cadets  by  regulation  and  by 
the  custom  of  the  Corps.  As  a  plebe,  tradition 
ordains  that  he  shall  not  attend  the  hops,  or  be 
allowed  the  social  recreations  of  the  upper-class- 
man, but  now  the  bars  to  the  pasture  of  pleasures 


248  West  Point 

are  removed  and  he  scampers  in  like  a  young  colt 
to  enjoy  his  new  freedom. 

The  two  months  of  camp  life  that  follow  gradua- 
tion give  cadets  plenty  of  opportunities  to  enjoy 
their  spare  moments.  The  entire  forenoon  is 
taken  up  with  the  various  kinds  of  military  in- 
struction, with  infantry  drill,  practical  military 
engineering,  target  practice,  artillery  drill,  equita- 
tion, swimming,  and  what  not,  but  the  afternoon 
is  at  their  disposal  from  the  return  of  the  Battalion 
from  dinner  until  parade  at  five-thirty.  They 
have  many  diversions  from  which  to  choose. 
Close  by  the  camp  are  five  tennis  courts  for  the 
devotees  of  the  racquet.  Upon  the  Plain  is  a  good 
golf  course  for  those  who  like  this  sport  and  speak 
its  unintelligible  language.  A  selected  number  of 
the  First  Class  defy  the  afternoon  heat  playing 
polo  down  on  the  Flats,  while  others  don  their 
bathing  suits  and  go  canoeing  upon  the  river. 
The  less  energetic  throw  their  blankets  in  the  shade 
of  the  trees  near  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  tent  and  abandon 
themselves  to  a  siesta,  or  to  the  delights  of  some 
good  book. 

Then,  there  are  the  social  beings  who  spend 
most  of  their  time  in  the  society  of  girls.  They  are 
the  "spoonoids"  of  the  Corps.  After  dinner  they 
flock  en  masse  either  to  the  visitors'  seats  or  to  the 
hotel  where  mothers,  sisters,  sweethearts,  friends 
and  friends'  friends  gather  around  admiringly.  It 
must  not  be  imagined  that  all  "spoonoids"  are 
alike.  There  are  the  virulent  kind  who  are  never 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      249 

in  camp  during  " release  from  quarters,"  who 
are  never  seen  on  the  athletic  field  except  in  a 
dress  coat.  They  are  always  rushing  some  girl, 
first  one,  then  another,  and  are  of  the  genus  that 
are  never  quite  on  time  for  any  formation.  They 
come  running  into  camp  at  the  last  minute,  breath- 
less and  excited,  and  are  peevish  if  everyone 
doesn't  turn  in  and  help  them  into  their  belts  for 
parade.  Then  there  is  the  more  moderate  "  spoon- 
oid,"  the  unobtrusive  sort,  who,  when  he  goes 
walking  with  a  girl,  dons  his  comfortable  gray 
shirt  and  white  trousers,  and  sets  forth  carrying 
a  few  deceptive  golf  sticks.  Lastly,  there  is  the 
timid  kind  who  sneaks  into  his  dress  coat  and 
tries  to  slip  out  of  camp  without  being  seen  by  his 
fellows.  He  really  wants  to  go  out  but  he  is  a 
little  ashamed  of  his  desire,  and  he  doesn't  want 
the  other  chaps  to  know  anything  about  it. 
Besides,  the  chorus  of  "ahs-s-s-s-s-s!"  from  all  the 
tents  along  the  line  terrify  him. 

West  Point,  however,  is  indebted  to  these  social 
beings  for  the  touch  of  romance  and  glamour 
that  they  give  to  the  summer  life.  Their  bright 
uniforms  and  the  gay  dresses  of  their  partners 
(and  the  still  gayer  parasols)  are  seen  everywhere 
on  Flirtation  Walk,  on  the  balcony  back  of  Cullum 
Hall,  on  the  Plain,  and  chiefly  at  the  visitors' 
seats,  and  their  youth  and  enthusiasm  add  a 
distinct  charm  to  the  social  life. 

But  the  real  amusements  and  pleasures  of 
summer  camp  come  after  supper.  Thrice  weekly 


250  West  Point 

small  hops  are  held  from  eight  to  ten  o'clock  and 
on  the  other  three  nights  open-air  concerts  are 
given  by  the  band. 

The  hops  are  the  most  popular  and  enjoyed  of  all 
the  pleasures.  The  Yearlings  have  an  opportunity 
of  showing  how  much  they  profited  by  their  danc- 
ing lessons  of  the  previous  summer  and  they 
flock  to  Cullum  Hall  in  droves.  On  hop  nights 
the  camp  is  practically  deserted.  Some  few  men 
who  do  not  care  for  dancing,  and  another  small 
group  who  pose  as  women  haters,  remain  in  the 
limits  visiting  one  another  or  reading.  The  new 
plebes,  of  course,  are  in  their  tents,  silently  work- 
ing upon  their  equipment.  Commencing  at  seven- 
thirty,  however,  a  stream  of  upper- classmen  begins 
passing  the  guard  tents,  signing  out  for  the  hop, 
bound  first  for  the  hotel  or  for  some  officers' 
quarters  where  charming  young  partners  await 
them.  As  soon  as  darkness  falls  the  couples 
set  forth  for  the  dance.  As  they  emerge  out 
of  the  obscurity  of  the  Plain  into  the  brilliant 
light  that  pours  out  of  the  main  entrance  of 
the  hall  they  appear  for  all  the  world  like  a 
lot  of  summer  insects  drawn  to  a  bright  electric 
bulb. 

It  is  a  charming  picture  that  the  cadets  in  their 
uniforms  and  the  girls  in  their  pretty  dresses  make 
as  they  gather  in  Cullum  Hall  for  the  dances. 
It  recalls  all  of  the  stories  of  beauty  and  chivalry 
that  poets  have  so  often  idealized.  As  I  watch 
them  today,  their  youth  tempts  my  imagination 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      251 

and  it  runs  away,  but  as  a  matter  of  truth  the 
reality  is  not  quite  so  ideal. 

The  cadets,  even  the  most  imaginative,  see 
things  more  clearly  and  recognize  that  some  of  the 
girls  that  come  to  the  hops  were  not  the  subject 
of  the  poet's  thought  when  he  wrote  his  odes 
to  beauty.  There  are  all  sorts  of  girls.  There  are 
young  girls,  and  some  not  so  young;  pretty  girls 
and  homely  ones;  vivacious  girls  and  inanimate 
ones;  intelligent  girls  and  dull  ones;  and  occasion- 
ally some  few  attend  the  dances  who  are  so  little 
favored  with  feminine  charms  that  for  years  the 
cadets  have  called  them  "  L.  P.'s."  These  damsels 
are  usually  the  friends  of  friends,  or  maybe,  the 
friends  of  friends  of  friends — very  distant  as  you 
see,  and  the  poor  cadet  is  called  upon  to  pay  off  his 
friend's  social  debt.  He  does  it  well,  too,  for  the 
dances  are  all  by  card  so  that  every  girl  has  her 
partners  arranged  beforehand,  and  she  leaves  the 
ball  having  experienced  the  intoxication  of  a  great 
belle. 

The  cadets  have  no  little  fun  over  these  girls, 
and  if  by  any  chance  they  know  them  ahead  of  time 
they  make  an  attempt  to  ensnare  one  of  their 
classmates,  saying: 

"Say,  Jim,  there  is  a  peach  of  a  femme  coming 
up  for  the  next  dance,  will  you  '  drag '  her  for  me?  " 

He  elaborates  upon  her  charms  with  the  deceit 
of  an  experienced  politician  until  accommodating 
Jim  accepts. 

Most  men,  however,  are  wily  about  these  un- 


252  West  Point 

known  friends'  friends,  but  occasionally  they  are 
caught.  I  know  one  cadet  who  was  asked  to  take 
such  a  girl  to  a  hop.  He  replied  that  he  would 
not  do  so  himself  but  that  he  would  find  some 
other  cadet.  With  true  Irish  persuasiveness  and 
unexampled  Blarney  he  prevailed  upon  a  class- 
mate. When  the  latter  was  making  out  the  card 
of  the  supposedly  beautiful  girl  (but  in  reality  a 
true  L.  P.)  his  first  thought  was  to  offer  some 
dances  to  the  promoter  of  the  young  lady.  The 
arch-plotter,  however,  innocently  replied: 

"I'm  awfully  sorry,  Joe,  but  my  card  is  full." 
This  answer  appeared  exceedingly  strange  to 
Joe,  until  he  beheld  his  partner  for  the  dance. 
Then  the  base  ingratitude  of  his  friend  so  enraged 
him  that  he  at  once  broke  off  all  diplomatic  and 
social  relations. 

So  wary  have  the  cadets  become  lest  they  be 
taken  in,  that  when  a  fellow  cadet  comes  out  into 
the  hall  to  get  one  of  the  stags  to  dance  with  a  girl, 
he  is  at  once  the  object  of  suspicion.  When  he 
asks  his  friend  to  take  a  dance  because  the  girl's 
partner  failed  to  turn  up,  or  what  not,  the  friend 
instantly  demands : 

"Where  is  she?"     "Where  is  she?" 
Some  of  the  more  astute  cadets  then  point  out 
the  prettiest  girl  in  sight  saying: 

"There  she  is;  she's  a  fiend, "  meaning  she  is  all 
that  is  to  be  desired,  and  lead  off  their  victim 
apparently  in  her  direction,  but  by  a  well-planned 
movement,  the  victim  is  shunted  off  so  that  before 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      253 

he  realizes  it  he  finds  himself  bowing  before 
Miss  L.  P.  His  comrade  has  escaped  in  the 
crowd,  leaving  him  to  "darkness  and  despair." 
Here  begins  a  desultory  conversation,  not  marked 
by  any  great  intellectual  effort. 

L.  P. :     "Do  you  like  to  dance? " 

Cadet:     "Yes,  do  you?" 

(Long  pause — atmosphere  strained.) 

Polite  cadet:     "Isn't  this  a  beautiful  hall?" 

L.  P. :  "Yes,  how  many  lights  are  there  in  the 
ceiling?" 

Cadet:     "340." 

(Second  longer  pause — atmosphere  at  breaking 
point.) 

Usually  a  chap  relieves  the  situation  by  suggest- 
ing: 

"Let's  go  out  on  the  balcony." 

There  one  can  at  least  console  himself  with  the 
beauty  of  the  scene,  for  unless  devoid  of  all  feeling, 
no  person  can  behold  the  glory  of  the  Hudson 
from  the  balcony  of  Cullum  Hall,  by  night,  or 
better,  by  moonlight  without  being  greatly  stirred. 

Two  hundred  feet  immediately  below  the 
balcony  lies  the  river,  apparently  calm  and  un- 
ruffled, but  anyone  who  knows  it  well  visualizes 
the  deep  current  beneath  that  flows  resistlessly 
toward  the  sea.  On  moonlight  nights  its  surface 
is  agleam  from  the  rays  of  the  full  moon  standing 
almost  stock-still  over  the  hills  that  form  the 
river's  opposite  banks.  Here  and  there  as  far 
down  as  Anthony's  Nose  the  obscurity  is  dotted 


254  West  Point 

with  lights  mostly  yellow,  but  with  an  occasional 
red  or  green  that  tells  of  the  approach  of  a  boat. 
Peace  and  beauty  reign  over  this  scene.  It  is  as 
if  one  were  gazing  upon  the  enchanted  garden  of 
a  land  of  fairies.  Occasionally  the  charm  and  won- 
der of  the  river  are  added  to  by  the  passage  of 
a  night  boat  that  goes  churning  by,  brilliantly 
lighted,  with  its  name  Berkshire  or  Trojan  out- 
lined in  electric  lights,  and  with  its  searchlight 
flashing  broad  .beams  on  the  banks,  first  on  this 
spot,  then  on  the  other.  The  operator  plays  the 
beam  upon  the  Riding  Hall,  then  slowly  passes  it 
to  the  Administration  building,  bathing  the  tower 
in  light,  then  to  the  Officers'  Mess,  or  maybe  some 
caprice  will  seize  him  and  up  dances  the  beam  to 
the  chapel  on  the  hill,  descending  as  captiously  to 
Cullum  Hall.  For  a  few  moments  the  entire 
balcony  is  illuminated  by  the  cold  light  of  the 
searchlight  that  reveals  other  cadets  and  their 
girls,  some  seated  on  the  broad  granite  railing, 
and  others  strolling  up  and  down.  The  beam 
moves  slightly  upward,  and  the  beauty  of  Cullum 's 
classic  lines  is  outlined  against  the  blackness  of 
the  night.  Then  a  jerky  movement  of  the  opera- 
tor's arm  and  darkness  once  more  enshrouds  the 
building.  The  steamer  passes  on,  darting  its 
beam  back  and  forth  like  a  spoiled  child,  until  it 
rounds  Gee's  Point  where  it  is  lost  to  view. 

The  strains  of  the  music  draw  all  of  the  couples 
back  to  the  ball  room.  A  more  beautiful  hall  for 
a  dance  could  hardly  be  imagined.  Conceived 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      255 

by  the  artistic  brain  of  Stanford  White,  it  forms 
a  most  exquisite  setting  for  the  gray  and  white 
uniforms  of  the  cadets  and  the  rainbow  hues  of  the 
gowns.  The  fine  old  portraits  of  West  Point's 
famous  generals,  the  wall  bronzes  commemorating 
their  deeds,  the  battle-torn  flags,  the  Mexican 
cannon,  the  names  of  the  great  victories  of  the 
Mexican  and  Civil  wars,  are  inspiring  surroundings 
for  young  men  and  women.  The  atmosphere  of 
the  hall  impels  the  cadets  to  be  chivalrous  and 
courteous.  It  would  be  impossible  not  to  have 
good  manners  in  such  a  hall.  It  is  no  wonder 
that  the  cadets  enjoy  the  dances  and  that  the  girls 
find  a  certain  glamour  in  the  entertainments. 

On  the  nights  when  there  are  no  hops,  the 
concerts  are  held,  and  although  lacking  the 
brilliancy  of  the  dances,  they  have  a  delightful 
charm  of  their  own.  Twice  a  week  the  concerts 
are  given  in  camp,  and  once  a  week  in  front  of 
the  quarters  of  the  Superintendent.  Upon  these 
occasions  the  visitors'  seats  are  crowded,  chiefly 
with  the  officers,  their  families,  and  guests.  Here 
and  there  on  the  parade  ground  are  groups  of 
cadets  and  girls  seated  on  camp  stools.  The 
chaperone  sits  near  by  wrapped  in  a  blanket  to 
protect  her  from  the  heavy  dew  of  the  evening. 
Perhaps,  another  group  will  be  made  more  com- 
fortable by  some  energetic  cadets  who  spread  their 
blankets  on  the  ground  for  seats  and  arrange 
camp  stools  on  their  sides  for  backs.  The  band  is 
conspicuously  placed  on  a  concrete  stand,  whose 


256  West  Point 

brilliant  lights  cause  the  iron  supports  to  cast 
weird  shadows  over  the  listening  crowd. 

On  concert  nights  the  camp  is  much  more 
animated  than  on  hop  nights.  Many  cadets  do 
not  go  beyond  the  hedge  or  frequent  the  visitors' 
seats,  but  remain  in  their  tents  stretched  out 
lazily  upon  their  blankets,  where  they  "laugh  and 
joke,  and  talk  and  smoke,  and  turn  to  boys  again." 
Here,  clad  chiefly  in  their  underclothes,  they 
comfortably  enjoy  the  music,  reveling  in  the 
freedom  from  the  stiff  uniform. 

Occasionally,  to  add  to  their  pleasure,  a  squad 
of  plebes  is  summoned  and  ordered  to  prepare  for 
Olympus  a  delicious  "brew."  One  upper-class- 
man who  takes  the  r61e  of  Zeus  directs  the  plebe 
messengers  of  the  gods  how  to  brew  the  libation. 
Having  detailed  one  plebe  to  perform  the  duties  of 
Ganymede,  Zeus  orders  him  to  get  his  own  G.  I. 
(galvanized  iron)  water  bucket,  clean  it  thoroughly, 
squeeze  the  lemons,  add  the  sugar  and  water,  and 
taste  it  until  pronounced  perfect.  To  give  the 
brew  a  proper  color  and  add  a  little  pungency, 
a  bottle  of  grape  juice  is  recklessly  poured  into  the 
delectable  drink.  With  the  strains  of  the  music 
floating  over  the  camp  and  dippers  full  of  "brew" 
constantly  at  one's  elbow,  the  upper-classmen 
reclining  at  their  feast  rival  the  luxury  of  the 
Romans  of  old.  Nor  are  the  "messengers" 
forgotten.  They  are  permitted,  as  a  reward 
for  their  services,  to  drink  their  fill  from  the 
brimming  bucket.  Of  course,  there  are  a  few 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      257 

"eats"  too;  nothing  elaborate,  but  oh!  how  good! 
sal  tines,  peanut  butter,  and  jam !  Words  to  conjure 
with! 

Or  perhaps,  a  roving  crowd  of  Yearlings, 
restless  and  filled  with  adventure,  go  from  com- 
pany street  to  company  street,  visiting,  playing 
pranks  and  jokes,  poking  their  heads  into  some 
plebe's  tent,  almost  scaring  him  to  death  by 
yelling : 

"Mister,  what's  your  name." 

"Mr.  Ducrot,  sir!" 

"Who  am  I?"  asks  the  Yearling. 

"I  don't  know,  sir!" 

"What!!!  don't  know  who  I  am?  Well,  Mr. 
Ducrot,  you're  pretty  ignorant,  you  get  that; 
you  '  bone '  me  up ! " 

On  goes  the  gang  from  one  tent  to  another, 
drawn  to  some  parts  of  the  camp  by  a  "brew" 
fight,  or  to  another  part  by  the  tinkling  of  some 
mandolins  and  strumming  of  some  guitars.  From 
the  depths  of  each  street  strong  voices  call  out  to 
their  comrades  in  other  companies:  "Oh-h-h-h-h! 
Scott  Fulton-n-n!"  More  often  the  night  is 
startled  by  the  frequent  call: 

"Turnoutaplebe!" 

Out  of  the  tents  bound  a  dozen  plebes  to  find 
out  the  wishes  of  the  Mighty  One. 

In  the  camp  there  are  many  sharp  contrasts. 

Strangest  of  all  is  to  see  some  serious-minded 

cadet  seated  in  his  tent  calmly  reading,  enthralled 

by  the  contents  of  a  book,  while  all  around  him 

17 


258  West  Point 

are  disturbing  distractions.  Neither  the  fluttering 
of  the  moths  and  lady  bugs  around  his  electric 
light,  the  attentions  of  the  mosquitoes,  nor  the 
laughter  and  chatter  of  his  comrades,  nor  the 
crashing  music  of  the  band  seem  to  draw  him 
from  his  imaginary  world.  Not  even  the  cry  of 
"Yea!  Furlo-o-o-o  ...  !n  so  oft  repeated  by 
the  Yearlings,  makes  any  impression  upon  him. 
Whenever  a  Yearling  has  a  little  surplus  energy 
that  he  must  get  rid  of,  he  sticks  his  head  out  of  the 
tent  and  yells: 

"Yea!    Furlo-o-o-o  .  .  .!" 

From  all  parts  of  the  camp,  voices  echo  the  call, 
and  for  a  few  seconds  the  air  vibrates  with  the 
sound  of  hopeful  voices. 

After  a  plebe  has  been  recognized  and  has 
become  a  Yearling,  the  one  engrossing  thought 
of  his  life  is  his  furlough.  This  furlough,  coming 
at  the  end  of  his  second  year,  is  the  only  vacation 
accorded  the  cadet  in  the  four  years,  and  is  antici- 
pated by  him  with  the  keenest  yearnings.  For 
two  years  he  has  been  living  under  the  severest 
discipline  and  restrictions  and  separated  from  the 
loved  ones  at  home.  The  thought  of  returning 
again  to  the  family  circle  and  of  picking  up  all  of 
the  old  threads  of  friendship  causes  a  lively  feeling 
of  joy  to  fill  his  manly  young  heart.  It  is  no 
wonder  that  "Yea!  Furlo-o-o-o  .  .  .  !"  finds 
a  sympathetic  response  in  the  hearts  of  all  who 
have  been  cadets. 

On  Sunday  evenings,   usually  a  dull  time  in 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      259 

camp,  the  regular  concerts  by  the  Military  Acad- 
emy Band  are  replaced  by  a  concert  given  by  the 
cadets  themselves.  This  entertainment  is  known 
as  the  Color  Line  concert.  A  canvas  is  made  of  the 
plebe  class  and  all  of  these  who  admit  any  musical 
talent  are  ordered  to  practice.  Mandolins,  guitars, 
violins  are  all  brought  out  and  the  whole  aggrega- 
tion, plebes  and  upper-classmen,  assemble  in  front 
of  the  hedge.  For  an  hour  or  more  they  play  and 
sing  for  their  comrades  and  friends,  who  sit  around 
on  blankets  or  camp  stools,  and  wave  burning 
Chinese  joss  sticks  to  drive  away  the  tormenting 
mosquitoes.  The  simplicity  of  the  entertainment 
gives  to  these  little  Color  Line  concerts  an  intimate 
and  charming  atmosphere. 

As  soon  as  the  concert  is  over  the  crowd  quickly 
disperses,  the  girls  going  to  the  hotel  or  wherever 
they  happen  to  be  stopping,  and  the  cadets  to 
their  company  streets.  The  quiet  of  Sunday 
evening  is  then  for  half  an  hour  broken  by  the 
shouts  of  the  men  as  they  litter  up  the  company 
streets  trying  to  assort  their  clothing  for  the 
Monday  wash. 

' '  Turn  out  a  wash  list,  you  plebes ! "  "  Step  out, 
Mr.  Ducrot!"  are  heard  on  all  sides. 

There  grows  thereupon  before  one's  eyes  small 
piles  of  drawers,  undershirts,  socks,  towels,  and 
white  duck  uniforms.  Each  article  is  carefully 
counted  and  listed  because  if  the  laundry  discover 
an  error  on  the  slip,  or  find  the  garment  of  some 
other  cadet  in  the  bag,  a  report  is  entered  against 


260 


West  Point 


the  offender  for  which  he  receives  a  demerit. 
Furthermore,  the  name  of  each  cadet  must  be 
distinctly  marked  upon  each  article  of  clothing. 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  any  such  fortunate 
set  of  circumstances  would  escape  the  attention 
of  the  practical  jokers  among  the  cadets.  Often 
the  surnames  of  certain  men  are  identical  with  the 
given  names  of  girls,  as  for  example,  Grace, 
or  Bell(e)  or  Nelly.  Naturally,  their  garments 
are  all  marked  in  this  way.  The  jokers  sur- 
reptitiously steal  an  article  or  two  from  each  of 
the  above  and  slip  it  in  the  bag  of  the  most  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  man  in  the  company.  The  following  day 
when  the  delinquency  list  is  read  out  the  Corps 
is  thrown  into  gales  of  laughter  by  the  following 
reports : 

"Cadet  Prude:  one  pair  of  drawers  in  wash 
marked  'Grace'";  or  "Cadet  Helldodger:  one 
undershirt  in  bag  marked  'Nelly. " 

The  legitimate  amusements  of  the  day  are  at 
an  end.  Taps  comes  and  plunges  the  camp  into 
darkness  and  all  turn  in  for  their  much  needed 
rest.  It  is  then  that  the  practical  jokers  begin 
to  think  of  their  nefarious  plots.  They  remain 
quiet  for  some  time  until  the  inspections  are  made 
and  the  company  commander  has  retired  after 
his  half -hour  solitary  patrol  of  the  company  street. 
When  all  the  camp  is  apparently  asleep,  dark 
forms  steal  forth  to  their  rendezvous  and  proceed 
in  a  body  to  the  tent  of  some  classmate  to  "drag" 
his  cot.  Cautiously  they  approach  the  tent, 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      261 

grab  the  ends  of  the  cot  with  the  sleeping  form,  and 
quickly  drag  it  to  the  center  of  the  street.  Just 
as  the  occupant  of  the  cot  is  rudely  awakened, 
and  tries  to  arise  bewildering  to  defend  his  rights, 
some  one  of  the  gang  treats  him  to  a  cold  bath 
from  a  bucket  of  water  provided  beforehand.  In 
the  days  of  hazing  this  form  of  amusement  was 
practiced  almost  exclusively  upon  the  plebes, 
but  today  the  men  leave  the  plebes  alone  and 
devote  their  attention  to  their  classmates  and 
friends. 

When  one  is  busy  and  happy  the  time  flies  by 
rapidly  so  that  before  the  cadet  is  aware  of  its 
flight,  the  summer  camp  is  brought  to  a  close  with 
a  Color  Line  entertainment.  The  spare  moments 
of  the  Corps  are  for  days  beforehand  spent  in 
preparation  for  this  event  that  marks  the  end  of  a 
happy  summer.  The  Practical  Military  Engineer- 
ing squad  now  comes  into  its  own.  They  build 
roller  coasters,  triumphal  arches,  small  theaters 
with  cabarets,  Japanese  gardens,  with  the  greatest 
ingenuity  and  skill.  The  company  streets  are 
transformed  into  bits  of  New  York,  Tokio,  and 
Chinatown.  Upon  the  parade  is  erected  a  large 
open-air  dancing  platform  smothered  in  the 
flags  of  all  nations,  where  the  cadets  and  their 
guests  dance  away  the  last  evening  in  camp. 
They  make  the  most  of  their  opportunity,  for  the 
next  day  they  must  return  to  the  barracks  and 
commence  the  Academic  term. 

Once  the  studies  have  been  resumed,  the  time 


262  West  Point 

for  diversion  of  any  sort  is  limited.  The  entire 
day  from  6:00  until  10:00  P.M.  is  employed  with 
studies,  drills,  and  necessary  personal  duties,  so 
that  there  is  nothing  for  the  cadet  but  work, 
work,  work.  There  are,  however,  two  weekly 
breaks  in  the  severe  routine.  One  of  these  lulls  is 
on  Wednesday  afternoon  when  there  are  no  drills, 
an  arrangement  that  gives  two  hours  of  leisure 
to  the  cadets. 

There  are  many  ways  of  driving  away  dull  care 
during  these  two  hours.  The  Second  and  Third 
Classmen,  who  have  riding  privileges,  ride  on  the 
roads  around  West  Point  where  they  enjoy,  in  the 
autumn,  a  variety  of  scenes  of  surpassing  beauty. 
Clad  in  their  riding  clothes,  they  impatiently 
await  in  the  barracks,  usually  in  the  lower  hall, 
the  first  note  of  "release  from  quarters"  that 
is  blown  at  3:50  P.M.  The  moment  the  bugler 
raises  his  instrument  to  his  lips  and  sends  forth 
the  first  sound  of  release  from  quarters  the 
"ridoids,"  except  First  Classmen,  burst  from  the 
hall  and  race  to  the  stables  in  order  to  secure  their 
favorite  mount.  Each  First  Classman  has  his 
mount  assigned  to  him,  so  that  he  can  be  more 
leisurely  in  his  movements. 

Other  men  who  prefer  the  society  of  books 
spend  all  of  their  leisure  at  the  library  where  they 
seek  out  a  quiet  corner  and  a  big  leather  arm 
chair  and  lose  themselves  in  their  surroundings. 
They  enjoy  the  atmosphere  of  calm  dignity  and 
peace  that  pervades  the  reading  rooms  in  refreshing 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      263 

contrast  to  the  noise  of  barracks  where  the  men 
are  constantly  running  in  and  out,  calling  to  one 
another. 

The  noise  in  barracks,  however,  makes  no 
impression  on  the  men  who  spend  their  leisure 
catching  up  with  sleep.  An  inspection  of  the 
rooms  on  Wednesday  and  Saturday  afternoons 
would  disclose  many  a  cadet  "pounding  joyously 
his  ear."  Grown  weary  by  the  routine,  he  does 
not  resist  the  overpowering  feeling  of  fatigue,  but 
abandons  himself  to  a  delicious  slumber. 

Meanwhile,  numbers  of  his  comrades  are  out  on 
the  athletic  field  engaged  in  tennis,  golf,  or  if  not 
playing,  encouraging  by  their  presence  the  work 
of  the  football  team.  The  leisure  moments  of  a 
large  percentage  of  the  cadets  are  given  over  in  the 
fall  to  practicing  football  songs  and  yells.  Usually, 
some  cadet  who  lacks  self-consciousness  and  who 
is  popular  with  his  fellows,  is  selected  as  cheer 
leader.  Under  his  direction  the  cadets  practice 
their  songs  and  yells,  while  the  team  perfects  its 
play  in  front  of  them  on  the  gridiron.  At  no 
institution  of  learning  does  there  exist  among  the 
students  a  greater  esprit  de  corps  than  among  the 
cadets.  In  the  fall,  all  sorts  of  personal  wishes 
and  inclinations  are  stifled  in  order  to  attend 
the  cheering  practice,  and  bring  it  to  a  high  degree 
of  perfection  for  the  Saturday  afternoon  games  on 
the  home  grounds,  and  chiefly  for  the  contest 
with  the  Navy.  Few  of  the  cadets  fail  to  turn 
out  for  the  cheering,  because  these  are  accused  of 


264.  West  Point 

lacking  in  spirit,  and  thereby  lose  prestige  with 
their  comrades. 

Cadets  who  elect  to  devote  their  time  to  other 
forms  of  athletics/  however,  are  regarded  with  no 
reproach,  but  men  who  absent  themselves  in  order 
to  attend  teas  or  to  go  ''spooning"  are  looked 
upon  with  some  disfavor.  Corps  spirit  ranks 
everything  in  the  eyes  of  the  cadet,  and  he  justly 
demands  that  it  come  first. 

Such  is  the  way  that  cadets  spend  their  two 
hours  of  leisure  on  Wednesday  afternoons.  After 
the  1 :  30  P.M.  inspection  on  Saturday  the  cadets 
are  also  at  liberty  for  the  remainder  of  the  day. 
They  spend  their  time  as  described  above,  the 
various  diversions  changing  slightly  with  the 
seasons.  Saturday  is  anticipated  with  the  greatest 
pleasure,  for  in  addition  to  the  afternoon  leisure, 
the  evening  is  free  to  do  as  one  pleases.  How 
welcome  is  the  relaxation  from  incessant  study! 
There  are  so  many  things  to  do.  Some  men  at- 
tend the  hops  that  are  held  twice  a  month ;  others 
dine  out  at  the  officers'  quarters;  still  others  go  to 
the  "Movies"  which  have  become  a  stock  enter- 
tainment every  Saturday  evening  in  the  gym- 
nasium. Advantage  is  taken  of  the  freedom  to 
visit  one  another's  rooms  in  the  barracks,  to  laugh, 
to  talk,  to  "knock,"  possibly  to  make  some 
"fudge"  on  the  electric  stove  that  spends  the 
week  days  hidden  in  the  recesses  of  some  mattress. 
Perhaps  one  of  the  men  has  received  some  money 
from  home,  unknown  to  the  authorities,  and 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      265 

has  treated  his  comrades  to  unlimited  quantities 
of  Huyler's  from  the  Boodlers,  or  maybe  an  invita- 
tion has  been  received  to  a  real  "party"  after 
taps  where  cold  turkey,  jams,  nuts,  sandwiches, 
smuggled  into  quarters,  are  eaten  by  an  eternally 
hungry  crowd.  After  such  a  feast  the  condition 
of  the  room  can  better  be  imagined  than  described. 
The  next  morning  the  occupants  make  the  most 
frantic  efforts  to  remove  the  grease  spots  from  the 
floor  and  table  before  the  Sunday  morning  inspec- 
tion. All  of  the  previous  night's  feasters  lend  a 
hand  in  the  scrubbing  and  polishing;  the  plebes 
are  called  in  to  wave  towels  in  the  air,  or  anoint 
the  furniture  with  bay  rum  to  drive  out  all  odors 
of  food  that  h,ang  over  the  room  from  the  previous 
evening. 

The  two  weekly  breaks  of  Wednesday  and 
Saturday  are  increased,  however,  when  the  snows 
come  in  November.  Drilling  out  of  doors  then 
becomes  impossible  so  that  from  4:00  until  6:00 
P.M.  daily,  the  cadets  are  at  liberty.  Most  of  the 
men  spend  these  gray  afternoon  hours  in  the  gym- 
nasium, or  in  reading.  The  Second  Class  has  its 
riding  class  during  this  period. 

After  the  football  season,  the  diversions  of  the 
winter  months  are  few.  The  "spoonoids"  whose 
acquaintance  we  made  in  camp  recommence  their 
activities,  chiefly  visiting  the  quarters  of  officers. 
The  most  pernicious  ones  are  called  by  their 
comrades  "Tea  Hounds"  or  "Parlor  Snakes," 
in  a  good-natured  spirit,  of  course.  The  percent- 


266  West  Point 

age  of  cadets  who  meet  the  officers'  families  socially 
is  small.  The  men  who  do  most  of  the  visiting 
upon  the  Post  are  army  officers'  sons  who  have 
known  some  of  the  instructors  at  other  Posts. 

It  is  regrettable  that  so  many  men  go  through 
West  Point  without  having  known  any  of  the 
officers  or  their  families  socially.  They  meet 
the  officers  only  in  an  official  way  where  the 
demands  of  discipline  require  formal  relations. 
This  has  a  tendency  to  remove  the  officer  too 
much  from  this  large  number  of  cadets  who  lack 
the  opportunity  of  knowing  informally  men  with 
whom  they  will  later  serve.  Many  cadets  in 
consequence  form  altogether  erroneous  impres- 
sions of  their  instructors  that  they  carry  with 
them  through  their  entire  service,  unless  they  are 
fortunate  enough  to  meet  these  gentlemen  later 
on.  While  at  West  Point  had  they  conversed 
informally  for  a  few  minutes  only  over  the  dinner 
table,  or  at  a  dance,  this  impression  would  have 
been  eradicated. 

The  great  gulf  that  has  always  separated  the 
cadet  from  the  officer  is,  however,  yearly  becoming 
narrower.  I  have  observed  lately  a  different 
attitude  of  the  officers  toward  the  cadets.  Their 
manners  are  more  cordial,  more  sympathetic, 
and  more  informal.  They  treat  the  cadets  more 
like  men  instead  of  schoolboys;  their  manner  is 
more  that  of  a  superior  officer  toward  a  junior. 
The  result  is  that  the  old  defensive  attitude  of 
the  cadet  toward  his  instructors  is  gradually 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      267 

disappearing,  and  he  now  regards  his  officers  as 
instructor  coadjutors  instead  of  instructor  tyrants. 
This  spirit  is  highly  beneficial  to  both  officer  and 
cadet,  because  the  latter,  feeling  that  his  instruc- 
tor is  ready  to  aid  him,  becomes  very  receptive  and 
consequently  calls  forth  from  the  former  a  natu- 
ral response  unhampered  by  self -consciousness. 

Graduates  of  the  Academy  have  often  ex- 
pressed their  opinion  that  the  transition  from  a 
cadet  to  an  officer  is  too  abrupt,  and  have  regretted 
that  before  graduation  a  cadet  did  not  acquire  more 
the  viewpoint  of  an  officer.  It  is  not  possible 
for  a  cadet  to  gain,  simply  through  official  contact 
with  an  officer,  ideas  regarding  the  service  and 
little  points  concerning  the  command  of  enlisted 
men.  Instruction  in  these  matters  is  provided, 
but  it  must  be  remembered  that  time  is  limited, 
and  that  all  recitations,  lectures,  talks,  are  in 
general  marked  by  formality  and  a  certain  degree 
of  restraint. 

In  order  to  make  a  distinction  between  the 
First  Class  and  the  under  classes,  the  authorities 
have  established  a  social  organization  called  the 
"  First  Classmen's  Club. "  Its  object  is  to  segregate 
the  First  Class  from  the  remainder  of  the  Corps, 
entrust  to  it  greater  powers  of  command  over  the 
other  cadets,  and  to  put  into  its  hands  more  fully 
the  discipline  of  the  rest  of  the  Corps.  In  other 
words,  its  object  is  to  inculcate  in  its  members  a 
greater  feeling  of  responsibility  by  giving  them 
greater  powers  accompanied  by  greater  privileges. 


268  West  Point 

The  privileges  that  are  accorded  thereby  make  them 
feel  that  they  have  passed  the  schoolboy  period, 
and  prepare  them  to  accept  properly  the  greater 
privileges  of  an  officer.  Although  it  is  called  the 
"First  Classmen's  Club/'  it  is  in  no  sense  a  club 
as  known  in  civilian  life.  Nothing  to  drink,  or  to 
eat,  is  permitted,  nor  are  there  pool  or  billiard 
tables.  The  Club  has  a  spacious  hall  over  the 
north  sally-port  of  the  new  barracks ;  it  is  supplied 
with  papers,  magazines,  a  phonograph,  a  piano, 
and  games  such  as  dominoes  and  chess,  and  com- 
fortable lounging  chairs.  This  meager  equipment 
may  appear  ludicrous  to  the  college  man  who  is 
accustomed  to  the  comforts  and  luxuries  of  his 
fraternities,  but  to  the  West  Pointer  who  knows 
nothing  but  Spartan  simplicity  for  the  past  three 
years,  it  means  a  great  deal.  The  First  Classmen 
have  the  privilege  of  using  the  Club  at  all  times 
during  the  day,  during  call  to  quarters  as  well  as 
during  release  from  quarters,  but  men  who  are 
deficient  in  their  studies  are  denied  its  use  during 
study  periods.  The  affairs  of  the  Club  are  regu- 
lated by  a  Board  of  Governors,  of  which  the  first 
captain  is  a  member  ex-officio. 

With  the  exception  of  the  First  Classmen's 
Club  the  authorities  do  not  permit  any  social 
organizations  such  as  fraternities  among  the  cadets. 
In  the  first  place,  such  bodies  are  in  conflict  with 
the  principles  of  democracy  upon  which  the 
institution  was  founded  and  which  still  character- 
izes every  act  of  its  administration;  and  in  the 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      269 

second  place,  the  cadet's  time  is  otherwise  em- 
ployed to  a  greater  extent  than  that  of  any  other 
university  student  in  the  country.  West  Pointers 
have  no  time  for  much  else  but  to  study  their 
profession  and  develop  their  bodies.  The  relaxa- 
tions provided  for  their  spare  moments  are  simple, 
healthful,  and  democratic. 

There  is,  however,  an  organization  at  West 
Point  called  the  Dialectic  Society.  This  body 
was  originally  organized  as  a  literary  club  in  1824 
for  purposes  of  discussing  subjects  more  or  less 
profound,  and  of  affording  members  an  opportunity 
to  read  their  literary  efforts.  Today,  it  is  an 
assembly  room  open  to  all  upper-classmen  who 
gather  there  either  to  read  or  chat,  or  to  enjoy 
the  good  fellowship  of  their  comrades.  It  is  also 
used  as  a  gathering  place  whenever  the  Corps 
wishes  to  deliberate  upon  some  weighty  question 
that  affects  their  body  and  that  calls  for  a  solution 
by  a  referendum.  Its  rooms  are  now  over  the 
east  sally-port  of  the  north  barracks.  Old  gradu- 
ates will  remember  its  location  as  the  hall  over  the 
north  sally-port  of  the  old  barracks.  The  present 
room  is  larger  and  better  adapted  for  the  increased 
number  of  the  Corps. 

As  the  fall  wears  on  the  principal  topic  of 
conversation  wherever  the  cadets  are  gathered, 
whether  in  the  Dialectic  Hall  or  in  the  First  Class- 
men's Club,  is  the  approaching  Christmas  leaves. 
All  thoughts  center  on  the  mid- winter  vacation, 
and  efforts  are  bent  to  keeping  off  the  delinquency 


270  West  Point 

list.  Not  all  cadets  get  Christmas  leave.  Those 
of  the  upper  classes  are  granted  leaves  from 
December  23d  to  4:  oo  P.M.,  December  3ist, 
provided  that  they  are  not  undergoing  examina- 
tions, or  special  punishment,  and  that  their  number 
of  demerits  for  the  preceding  year  has  not  been 
greater  than  nine  per  month  in  barracks  and 
twelve  per  month  in  camp.  There  are  other 
provisos  attached,  chief  of  which  is  the  condition 
that  a  cadet  must  visit  relatives  or  friends.  This 
regulation  prohibits  them  from  going  to  New  York 
and  staying  at  the  hotels.  This  restriction  works 
a  great  hardship  upon  cadets  from  distant  States 
who  have  no  relatives  nearby,  or  who  do  not 
happen  to  have  made  friends  in  the  East;  but  its 
promulgation  was  found  necessary  to  prevent 
the  cadets  from  going  to  the  hotels  where  they 
borrowed  money  and  got  into  debt. 

The  tendency  at  West  Point  is  to  be  more  and 
more  liberal  about  granting  leaves  of  absence.  I 
personally  feel  that  the  new  policy  is  the  correct 
one.  The  First  Classmen  especially  should  have 
the  privilege  of  going  to  New  York  occasionally 
during  their  last  year.  Their  close  restriction 
to  the  Reservation  at  West  Point  where  every- 
thing is  done  for  them  makes  them  too  dependent 
and  not  sufficiently  self-reliant.  Their  apprecia- 
tion, however,  of  the  vacation  is  indeed  keen. 
No  more  happy  faces  could  be  imagined  than 
those  of  the  cadets  going  on  leave  as  they  descend 
the  hill  to  the  station.  Not  even  the  woe-begone 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      271 

and  dejected  attitude  of  their  less  fortunate  com- 
rades can  detract  one  bit  from  the  exhilaration 
of  their  spirits.  Those  left  behind,  either  on 
account  of  studies  or  conduct,  spend  their  time 
tramping  in  the  woods,  or  skating,  bobbing,  riding, 
reading,  or  else  "  boning "  for  the  dread  ordeal  of 
the  examination. 

The  vacation  ends  on  December  3ist  when  the 
men  on  leave  return  to  the  Post.  That  night  is 
held  the  New  Year's  hop  for  which  the  girls  in 
shoals  come  to  West  Point.  It  has  always  re- 
mained a  mystery  to  me  where  these  girls  come 
from.  All  of  a  sudden  they  descend  upon  the 
Post  like  a  swarm  of  locusts,  and  the  next  day  as 
quickly  disappear. 

The  characteristic  feature  of  the  New  Year's 
hop  occurs  at  midnight.  A  few  seconds  before 
twelve  o'clock,  a  musician  in  the  orchestra  sounds 
the  ' '  attention . "  A  a  impressive  stillness  falls  over 
the  ball  room,  while  the  trumpeter  blows  "Taps" 
just  as  the  old  year  dies.  Not  a  person  in  the 
whole  room  stirs.  At  the  first  stroke  of  twelve, 
the  trumpeter  blows  the  "Reveille,"  a  signal  that 
another  year  has  awakened. 

The  cadets  of  the  upper  classes  then  rush  to  the 
center  of  the  ball  room,  form  into  class  groups, 
and  give  their  class  yell.  The  under  classes  yell 
for  the  First  Class  which  politely  responds  with  a 
class  yell  for  each.  The  First  Classmen  then  end 
the  incident  by  a  yell,  adding  three  prolonged 
and  joyous  cries: 


272  West  Point 

"Never  again!  Never  again!  Never  again!'* 
They  mean  that  never  again  as  cadets  at  West 
Point  will  they  attend  a  New  Year's  dance.  They 
are  announcing  to  all  present  the  completion  of  a 
definite  period,  the  closing  of  one  chapter  of  their 
lives  that  can  never  again  be  relived.  The  music 
starts  up,  the  dancers  float  off,  and  the  incident 
is  soon  forgotten,  but  to  one  standing  by  who 
takes  the  trouble  to  reflect  a  little  there  is  an 
element  of  sadness  in  the  almost  debonair  manner 
that  these  young  men  renounce  a  portion  of  their 
lives  that  has  not  been  lacking  in  benefits  and 
in  happy  associations. 

After  the  mid-winter  break  nothing  interrupts 
the  routine  of  the  cadets'  ordinary  diversions 
until  the  annual  play  on  the  2Oth  of  February. 
The  upper-classmen  give  the  Hundredth  Night 
Play.  It  is  ordinarily  a  satire  upon  conditions  at 
the  Academy.  The  setting  is  invariably  West 
Point,  and  the  principal  characters  are  the  officers 
on  duty.  The  other  characters  satirize  the  type 
with  which  West  Point  abounds :  the  cadet  girl,  her 
friend,  the  chaperone,  the  cadet  "spoonoid, "  the 
professors  and  instructors.  Shouts  of  laughter 
greet  the  appearance  of  the  impersonations  of  the 
officers,  and  rounds  of  applause  follow  jokes  gotten 
off  at  their  expense.  There  is  nothing  assumed  or 
counterfeit  about  the  genuineness  of  the  cadets' 
enjoyment.  There  is,  of  course,  an  officer  who 
censors  the  play  before  its  production,  for  although 
there  is  no  more  polite  body  of  men  in  the  world 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      273 

than  the  Corps  of  Cadets,  yet  their  enthusiasm 
and  eagerness  might  lead  them  to  indulge  in 
personalities  that  would  offend.  The  Tactical 
officers  who  are  immediately  over  the  cadets 
are  most  generally  impersonated ;  the  exaggeration 
of  their  little  weaknesses  is  not  more  enjoyed  by  the 
cadets  than  by  the  officers  themselves.  In  fact, 
whenever  any  one  of  them  is  left  out  he  rather 
regrets  it. 

The  approach  of  spring  leaves  but  little  time 
for  pleasure.  Drills  are  resumed  after  study  hours, 
followed  by  parade  and  guard  mounting,  then 
more  study  hours  after  supper.  The  Battalions 
must  be  whipped  into  shape  for  June  week;  each 
class  must  be  given  drills  to  prepare  the  individuals 
for  their  coming  task  in  June.  Many  things 
occupy  the  cadets*  attention.  The  First  Classmen 
can  think  of  little  else  except  graduation.  They 
are  busy  looking  over  samples  of  uniforms,  boots, 
civilian  clothing,  or  ordering  same,  or  trying  on 
uniforms.  Some  few  have  the  added  responsi- 
bility of  planning  for  their  approaching  marriage. 
Naturally,  the  interest  of  First  Classmen  in  cadet 
activities  begins  to  wane.  The  Second  Class 
anticipate  their  First  Class  camp  when  the  reins 
of  power  pass  to  them,  the  Yearlings  dream  and 
dream  and  dream  of  furlough.  Every  spring 
evening  during  the  half -hour  after  supper  they 
gather  upon  Battle  Monument  to  sing  their  fur- 
lough songs.  Little  snatches  float  across  the 
Plain,  partly  unintelligible,  but  from  which  the 

18 


274  West  Point 

words  "love"  and  "girl"  and  "moon,"  sung  with 
greater  emphasis  apparently,  can  be  clearly  dis- 
tinguished. Only  the  "call  to  quarters"  drags 
them  back  to  earth,  whereupon  with  a  vociferous 
"Yea!  Furlo-o-o-o ! "  they  break  up  the  meeting 
and  march  back  to  barracks,  arm  in  arm,  singing 
of  the  pleasures  to  come  when  they  will  leave  the 
Academy  for  two  months  and  return  to  the  bosom 
of  their  families. 

Not  least  of  the  pleasures  at  West  Point  is  the 
camaraderie.  There  are  always  plenty  of  friends 
to  be  had,  fine  manly  fellows  with  clean  thoughts, 
affectionate  and  kind.  A  cadet  rarely  fully 
appreciates  what  this  comradeship  means  until 
he  is  about  to  graduate.  Then  he  reflects  upon 
his  four  years  spent  in  the  society  of  so  many 
fine  men,  and  he  feels  a  poignant  regret  at  leaving 
their  midst.  The  recollections  of  the  hardships 
endured  and  overcome  together,  of  the  mutual 
confidences,  of  the  sympathy  when  needed,  of 
little  sacrifices  made  for  him,  fill  him  with  tender- 
ness and  sadness.  He  finds  it  hard  to  say  good-bye 
to  the  truest  friends  that  he  will  ever  have. 

The  last  few  months,  however,  are  so  filled 
with  duties  and  obligations  that  he  has  few  mo- 
ments for  reflection.  Before  he  knows  it  June 
and  graduation  are  upon  him.  He  then  attends 
his  own  Graduation  Ball.  Just  prior  to  the  last 
dance,  once  again  the  First  Class  assembles  in  the 
center  of  the  room,  gives  its  class  yell  followed 
by  the  three  cries: 


Hence,  Loathed  Melancholy!      275 

Never  again!  Never  again!  Never  again!" 
A  little  lump  comes  in  his  throat  as  the  echo 
dies  away.  Never  again  will  he  be  a  cadet  at 
West  Point.  A  yell  that  has  heretofore  been  most 
musical  has  all  of  a  sudden  become  most  melan- 
choly. 

Never  again ! 


CHAPTER  XI 

STRENGTHENING  THE  MORAL  FIBER 

WHEN  a  new  class  of  cadets  reports  at  West 
Point,  it  is  composed  of  men  as  diverse  in 
appearance,  in  points  of  view,  and  in  character 
as  the  parts  of  the  country  from  which  they 
come.  But  after  they  have  been  at  the  Academy 
for  a  couple  of  years  a  marked  change  occurs,  and 
by  the  time  they  are  ready  to  graduate  they  have 
undergone  a  complete  metamorphosis.  In  some 
mysterious  manner  they  seem  to  have  been  leveled 
to  a  certain  standard,  like  some  scraggly  hedge 
that  has  been  scrupulously  trimmed  by  its  pains- 
taking guardian.  The  fat  ones  have  lost  their 
extra  pounds;  the  thin  ones  have  made  good  their 
deficit;  the  round-shouldered  have  straightened 
up,  and  the  hollow-chested  have  filled  out.  Instead 
of  a  heterogeneous  looking  lot  of  men,  they  give 
the  impression  of  having  been  made  from  the  same 
die.  And  then  too  there  is  a  uniformity  about 
their  point  of  view.  Whereas  at  entrance  their 
whole  thought  was  colored  by  the  life  from  which 
they  came  and  by  what  they  hoped  to  be,  once 
enrolled  in  the  Corps,  they  quickly  and  involun- 

276 


Strengthening  the  Moral  Fiber    277 

tarilyhave  found  themselves  worshiping  identical 
ideals — the  ideals  of  Duty,  Honor,  and  Country. 
They  have  discovered  at  West  Point  certain 
standards  that  have  been  approved  by  other  men, 
and  they  have  gradually  adopted  them  as  their 
own.  But  the  real  stamp  of  West  Point  appears 
in  their  faces.  The  imprint  is  evident  wherever  a 
group  of  the  cadets  are  gathered  together,  but  it 
is  never  so  apparent  as  at  the  graduation  cere- 
monies when  the  cadets  individually  mount  the 
platform  to  receive  their  diplomas.  Then  one 
can  see  a  certain  look  in  the  eye  and  a  certain 
feeling  of  strength  about  the  features  that  is  the 
same.  It  is  the  look  of  men  who  have  accom- 
plished something  and  of  the  strength  that  comes 
from  character. 

What,  you  ask,  is  this  leveling  influence  at 
the  Academy?  It  comes  from  discipline,  the 
discipline  of  the  body,  the  discipline  of  the  mind, 
and  the  discipline  of  the  soul.  It  is  the  one 
governing  factor  in  the  success  of  West  Point. 
All  three  kinds  of  it  begin  on  the  day  that  the 
cadet  reports  for  duty,  and  continues  without 
interruption  during  his  entire  course.  The  disci- 
pline of  the  body  and  the  mind  is  a  comparatively 
simple  affair,  especially  when  there  is  a  willingness 
on  the  part  of  the  subject,  but  the  discipline  of  the 
soul  is  the  influence  that  is  hardest  to  make  cadets 
appreciate.  Some  people  shy  when  the  word 
discipline  is  mentioned;  they  think  that  it  means 
to  break  a  man's  will  and  to  destroy  his  individual- 


278  West  Point 

ity,  but  that  is  not  so.  The  discipline  that  I  speak 
of  is  a  process  of  education  whereby  a  man's 
mental  attitude  is  trained  to  a  certain  viewpoint ; 
whereby  his  actions  unconsciously  respond  to  the 
correct  ethical  view  of  his  duty.  It  is  aimed 
to  teach  respect  for  law  and  order,  to  teach  truth- 
fulness and  honesty,  loyalty  and  obedience.  It 
inculcates  respect  for  superiors,  if  not  for  the  man, 
then  for  the  office  that  he  holds.  It  teaches  a 
soldier  the  sacredness  of  orders;  it  is  the  quality 
without  which  no  army  is  successful. 

Under  this  strong  influence  of  discipline  come 
men  from  all  sections  of  our  great  country  and 
from  all  classes  of  society.  Viewed  exteriorly 
they  are,  upon  reporting,  as  motley  a  looking 
lot  as  could  be  imagined.  An  examination  of 
their  interiors  would  reveal  natures  and  char- 
acters of  equal  variety.  Some  come  from  homes 
where  they  have  received  the  most  careful  moral 
nurture;  others  from  environments  of  vague  and 
lax  standards.  Side  by  side  with  youths  who  are 
models  of  truth  are  lads  with  uncertain  ideas  of 
right  and  wrong.  Among  the  throng  are  brilliant 
boys  and  stupid  ones;  well-educated  lads  and 
those  whose  advantages  have  been  of  the  most 
limited  sort;  sons  of  rich  men  and  boys  who  have 
known  the  meaning  of  want.  From  everywhere 
they  come:  from  the  city  and  from  the  farm;  from 
the  mountain  and  from  the  plain. 

It  is  interesting  to  dwell  for  a  moment  on  the 
following  table  showing  the  sources  of  the  person- 


Strengthening  the  Moral  Fiber  279 

nel  of  the  cadet  body.  Herein  are  listed  the  occu- 
pations of  the  parents  of  the  cadets  and  the 
number  engaged  in  each,  covering  a  period  of 

fifty  years. 

Accountants 3 

Agents 62 

Architects 5 

Artists 4 

Auctioneer I 

Auditor i 

Author i 

Baggagemaster i 

Bakers 4 

Bankers  and  bank  officers 90 

Barbers 4 

Bookkeepers 18 

Brewers 3 

Brokers 40 

Builders 2 

Butchers 2 

Capitalist I 

Chief  of  police I 

City  marshal I 

Clergymen 128 

Clerk  of  House  of  Representatives I 

Clerks 90 

Collectors 4 

Commercial  travelers 13 

Conductors 2 

Contractors 38 

Cook i 

Cotton  buyer I 


280  West  Point 

County  officers 74 

Cutlery  commissioner I 

Dairyman 2 

Dentists 14 

Detectives 2 

Distiller I 

Dock  commissioner i 

Dock  master i 

Draftsman i 

Druggists 13 

Editors 62 

Electroplater i 

Engineers : 

Civil 13 

Mechanical 10 

Locomotive 3 

Stationary i 

Enlisted  men 4 

Express  business 2 

Farmers  and  planters 1.149 

Fishing  master i 

Foreman i 

Gardeners 3 

General  business 5 

Hatter i 

Heads  of  corporations 10 

Hotel  keepers 55 

Iceman i 

Importer i 

Inspector  of  buildings I 

Inspectors  of  factories 2 

Inspectors  of  police 2 

Insurance  business 38 


Strengthening  the  Moral  Fiber  281 

Inventor i 

Jewelers 3 

Journalists 8 

Justice  of  peace i 

Laborers 29 

Lawyers  and  judges 645 

Letter  carriers i 

Librarians 2 

Lithographer I 

Liverymen 15 

Lumbermen 20 

Manager  of  brewery i 

Manager  of  engines  and  boilers I 

Manager  of  factory i 

Manager  of  land  company i 

Manufacturers 151 

Marble  dealer I 

Mechanics 341 

Member  of  city  board I 

Member  of  State  Legislature I 

Members  of  Congress 32 

Merchant  tailor i 

Merchants 722 

Messenger i 

Millers 1 1 

Mining 26 

Museum  keeper I 

Musician,  band  leader i 

Musicians 2 

Newspaper  correspondent i 

Newspaper  manager i 

No  occupation 191 

Nurserymen 6 


282  West  Point 

Officers  of  the  Army 362 

Officers  of  the  Navy 59 

Officers  of  volunteers 21 

Oil  business 2 

Overseers 4 

Photographers 6 

Physicians 367 

Pilot I 

Policemen 7 

Police  justices 2 

Politicians 3 

Postmasters 5 

President  of  manufacturing  company i 

President  of  steam  heating  company i 

President  of  wire  mill I 

Presidents  of  colleges 4 

Presidents  of  insurance  companies 3 

Printers 12 

Professors 27 

Proprietor  of  elevator  company I 

Publishers 8 

Railroad  employees 6 

Railroad  officers 13 

Ranchmen 2 

Real  estate 37 

Restaurant  keeper I 

Salesmen 5 

Saloonkeeper I 

School  teachers 56 

Secretaries 14 

Ship  captains 25 

Speculators 10 

State  officers 27 


Strengthening  the  Moral  Fiber    283 

Steamboatman i 

Steward i 

Stock  dealers  (cattle) 10 

Stock  raisers 6 

Stocks 

Superintendent  of  coal  and  iron  company .... 

Superintendent  of  factory 

Superintendent  of  iron  work 

Superintendent  of  mine 

Superintendent  of  prison 

Superintendent  of  railroad 

Superintendents  of  gas  works 2 

Superintendents  of  schools 4 

Surveyors 5 

Tanners 2 

Teacher  of  garment  cutting i 

Teacher  of  music I 

Teamster i 

Theater  manager i 

Undertakers 5 

United  States  civil  officers 85 

Unknown 39 

Wagonmaster I 

Warden  of  prison I 

It  is  to  the  sons  of  men  in  this  list  that  West 
Point  applies  its  discipline  in  order  to  create  the 
type  of  officer  that  the  Government  desires  for 
its  Army.  From  them  must  be  eliminated  the 
unfit  and  the  unworthy  during  the  molding  process 
to  which  they  are  subjected. 

The  immediate  effect  of  the  application  of  disci- 
pline to  this  variety  of  material  is  the  creation  of 


284  West  Point 

an  ideal  democracy.  All  of  the  new  arrivals  are 
thrown  indiscriminately  into  the  melting  pot, 
and  no  attention  is  paid  to  any  man's  antecedents. 
The  boys  of  rich  and  influential  parents  are  not 
allowed  little  life-preservers  of  wealth,  family,  and 
position  whereby  they  might  remain  on  top,  but 
they  must  boil  away,  sometimes  on  top,  some- 
times at  the  bottom  of  the  pot,  rubbing  and 
bumping  against  boys  to  whom  riches  and  influence 
are  strangers.  Whether  they  sink  or  swim,  live 
or  die,  survive  or  perish,  depends  on  individual 
effort  alone.  Men  are  esteemed  at  West  Point 
for  what  they  are  and  not  for  what  they  have. 
Each  man  feeling  that  he  has  as  good  an  oppor- 
tunity to  succeed  as  the  other  man  becomes  im- 
bued from  the  outset  of  his  cadet  career  with  the 
spirit  of  democracy  that  exists  at  the  Academy. 

From  the  moment  that  a  cadet  enters  West 
Point,  his  past  life,  experiences,  advantages, 
record,  disappear  into  oblivion  so  far  as  the  authori- 
ties and  other  cadets  are  concerned.  No  reference 
is  ever  made  to  any  cadet's  home,  to  his  connections, 
to  his  family,  unless  he  introduces  the  subject. 
Once  he  becomes  a  cadet,  a  new  clean  sheet  of  his 
life  is  started  for  him,  and  whatever  is  entered 
thereon  depends  solely  upon  himself.  Every 
man  at  West  Point  has  the  same  chance — the 
chance  of  advancement  based  upon  merit  and 
efficiency  and  upon  nothing  else.  It  makes  no 
difference  to  the  officers  in  charge  or  to  the  other 
cadets  whether  a  man's  family  is  wealthy  or  dis- 


Strengthening  the  Moral  Fiber   285 

tinguished.  As  a  matter  of  fact  this  information 
is  rarely  known  because  all  of  the  cadets  report 
together;  they  are  totally  unknown  to  those 
in  charge  so  that  there  is  no  possible  way  to  as- 
certain anything  about  the  cadet's  antecedents. 
They  lose  their  identity  completely,  and  so  much 
so  that  the  upper-classmen  take  months  to  learn 
their  real  names,  meanwhile  calling  them  by  the 
generic  names,  Ducrot,  Dumbguard,  and  Dumb- 
John. 

The  character  of  the  rooms  in  barracks  illustrates 
most  strikingly  this  democratic  ideal  that  disci- 
pline fosters.  The  plain  and  homely  furnishings 
of  each  room  are  identical  in  pattern,  material,  and 
quantity,  so  that  no  cadet  is  housed  better  than 
his  fellow.  The  walls  are  free  from  pictures,  the 
windows  from  curtains,  the  floors  from  rugs. 
There  are  no  soft  easy  chairs  but  only  an  old- 
fashioned  wooden  one  for  each  man,  that  is  as 
hard  for  the  rich  cadet  as  for  the  poor  Mr.  Ducrot. 
Nor  are  there  any  cliques  that  occupy  particular 
rooms  in  the  barracks.  Each  company  has  so 
many  rooms  for  its  members,  and  as  far  as  possible 
the  men  within  the  company  may  choose  their 
roommates.  Their  selection  is  made  on  mutual 
attraction  and  congeniality  solely.  Whenever 
two  chaps  enjoy  each  other's  companionship,  that 
indefinable  mingling  of  mute  spirits,  they  try 
to  room  together. 

And  then  again,  the  cadets  are  free  from  the 
distinctions  and  the  social  barriers  that  money 


286  West  Point 

creates.  They  are  prohibited  from  receiving  any 
money  from  their  homes  and  are  not  allowed  the 
handling  of  the  pay  that  they  receive  from  the 
Government.  Instead,  the  authorities  supply  all 
of  their  wants,  their  food,  their  clothing,  their 
books,  their  amusements,  so  that  they  might 
have  no  need  of  cash.  In  fact  there  is  but  one 
store  on  the  reservation  where  they  can  spend 
money,  and  that  is  a  place  called  "The  Boodlers, " 
a  sort  of  a  general  store  at  the  foot  of  the  hill 
near  the  gas  tank.  Here  they  may,  if  out  of  debt, 
obtain  a  permit  for  two  dollars  per  month,  and 
only  those  cadets  with  permits  are  allowed  even 
to  enter  the  store. 

In  this  ideal  democracy,  among  the  influences 
that  are  considered  prejudicial  to  good  order  and 
military  discipline  are  drinking,  gambling,  and 
cigarette  smoking.  All  alcoholic  drinks  are  conse- 
quently banished  from  the  life  of  the  young  embryo 
officer,  for  he  must  keep  a  clear  brain  in  order  to 
think  straight  and  master  his  problems.  He  is 
permitted  only  the  wholesome  beverages  of  milk, 
tea,  and  coffee  that  are  supplied  in  the  greatest 
abundance.  Occasionally  there  is  a  case  of 
drinking  among  the  cadet  body,  but  as  a  vice, 
intoxication  does  not  exist  at  the  Military  Acad- 
emy. One  has  only  to  look  at  the  healthy  ruddy 
complexions  of  the  cadets  to  be  convinced  of  the 
truth  of  this  statement.  Any  girl  might  envy 
them  their  skins,  whose  brilliancy  and  transpar- 
ency would  soon  disappear  if  late  hours  and  beer 


Strengthening  the  Moral  Fiber    287 

were  permitted.  Nor  is  there  any  gambling  in  the 
Corps,  unless  the  betting  of  one's  ice  cream  on  the 
result  of  some  football  game  be  so  considered. 
The  cadets  are  not  even  allowed  the  use  of  cards 
or  of  any  games  of  chance.  They  may  not  in- 
dulge in  so  harmless  a  pastime  as  bridge.  Their 
chief  solace  in  their  free  moments  must  be  their 
pipes  of  briar,  for  cigarettes  are  frowned  upon  and 
regarded  as  contraband  of  war,  liable  to  seizure 
by  any  Tactical  officer.  The  weed  is  confiscated 
and  the  cadet  receives  a  report.  What  becomes  of 
those  confiscated  cigarettes  has  always  been  a 
matter  of  great  speculation.  Tactical  officers 
are  always  under  suspicion.  I  remember  one 
case  where  a  cadet  was  caught  with  three  hundred 
cigarettes  in  his  possession  and  told  by  his  officer 
to  turn  them  in  at  the  Guardhouse.  This  order 
grieved  the  cadet  very  much  because  he  felt  that 
perhaps  someone  else  would  enjoy  those  cherished 
smokes.  He  therefore  bored  a  hole  in  each  one 
with  a  pin,  before  complying  with  his  directions. 
Soon  after  turning  in  the  cigarettes,  he  was  re- 
ported for  having  mutilated  them  and  was  made 
to  walk  punishment  tours  on  the  Area  for  many 
days.  The  inference  was  that  some  disappointed 
Tactical  officer  could  not  make  the  cigarettes 
draw. 

The  ability  to  maintain  a  high  state  of  discipline 
at  West  Point  is  due  partially  to  the  wisdom  of 
placing  the  instruction  of  the  cadets  in  the  hands 
of  officers  who  are  themselves  graduates  of  the 


288  West  Point 

Academy.  The  officers  have  more  prestige  with 
the  cadets  and  they  understand  better  the  pre- 
paration of  these  young  men  for  their  future 
duties  than  could  civilian  instructors.  They 
have  to  a  greater  degree  than  most  instructors 
the  prestige  of  a  physical  and  moral  superiority 
over  their  students.  They  are  familiar  with  the 
spirit  of  the  institution  and  are  always  on  the 
alert  to  guard  against  corrupt  influences.  They 
better  understand  how  to  instill  the  austere  virtues 
that  a  soldier  ought  to  have,  and  how  to  form  a 
brave  and  virile  heart  in  their  young  charges. 
In  a  measure  they  re-create  the  man  and  develop 
in  him  the  national  soul. 

The  attitude  of  the  cadets  themselves,  however, 
toward  their  discipline  is  the  real  reason  for  the 
success  of  West  Point's  efforts  to  turn  out  men  who 
are  high-minded  and  honorable.  They  are  as 
zealous  as  the  officers  over  them  in  seeing  that 
their  associates  live  up  to  certain  standards. 
Honor  is  their  shibboleth,  and  each  new  man  upon 
his  arrival  is  instructed  in  what  is  meant  by  Corps 
Honor.  Upper-classmen  give  the  plebes  lectures 
wherein  they  explain  the  ethics  that  govern  their 
body,  and  leave  them  no  room  for  doubt  regarding 
the  penalties  for  an  infringement  of  their  code. 
From  the  outset  of  their  careers  cadets  are  taught 
the  hatred  of  a  lie,  and  are  made  to  understand 
that  only  by  the  most  scrupulous  regard  for  the 
truth,  every  detail  of  it,  can  they  be  considered 
fit  to  hold  their  places  as  cadets  and  gentlemen. 


Strengthening  the  Moral  Fiber    289 

Any  cadet  who  is  found  guilty  of  making  a  false 
statement  regarding  even  the  most  trifling  cir- 
cumstance is  dismissed.  If  he  is  caught  in  a 
dishonorable  act,  he  is  reported  by  his  fellows 
to  the  authorities,  or  told  by  his  classmates  that 
his  resignation  would  be  favorably  received. 
In  order  to  do  justice  to  any  man  accused  of 
breaking  the  code,  the  cadets  have  among  their 
body  a  Vigilance  Committee  that  is  composed  of 
representatives  from  the  three  upper  classes. 
These  men  investigate  all  questionable  acts  that 
ordinarily  would  not  come  to  the  eyes  of  the 
authorities,  and  if  they  are  satisfied  that  the  man 
is  guilty  they  report  him.  For  example,  at  the 
written  examinations  the  officers  never  supervise 
the  cadets  as  regards  their  moral  conduct,  but 
frequently  leave  the  room  for  long  periods.  If 
any  man  should  take  advantage  of  these  circum- 
stances to  cheat,  his  act,  if  seen  by  a  comrade, 
is  at  once  reported  to  either  the  Vigilance  Com- 
mittee or  to  the  officers.  It  is  apparent  therefore 
that  the  honor  of  the  Corps  will  always  remain 
unsullied  so  long  as  it  is  left  in  the  hands  of  the 
cadets  themselves. 

This  rigid  code  of  discipline  to  which  the  cadet  is 
subjected  for  four  years  and  the  influence  of  the 
honor  system  in  the  Corps  develop  in  him  to  a 
high  degree  the  sentiment  of  duty.  At  West 
Point  duty  comes  first.  The  idea  is  that  when  a 
cadet  is  given  a  task  to  perform  he  will  approach 
it  with  a  strength  of  purpose  that  never  gets  weary 
19 


290  West  Point 

or  tired.  It  teaches  him  to  make  his  resolve  so 
strong  that  he  can  listen  to  the  murmurings  of  the 
ignorant,  to  their  sophistry,  receive  their  insults 
and  slanders,  conscious  that  the  ideals  for  which  he 
stands  will  eventually  triumph.  It  is  the  senti- 
ment that  will  sustain  him  not  only  in  time  of  war, 
for  then  he  has  the  sympathy  of  the  people,  but  in 
time  of  peace  when  the  average  layman  who  does 
not  understand  the  character  of  his  work  condemns 
it  as  an  activity  that  produces  nothing. 

The  result  of  four  years'  immersion  in  the  atmos- 
phere at  West  Point  is  the  molding  of  the  cadet's 
character.  When  he  entered  the  Academy  he 
was  just  a  boy,  fresh  from  the  hands  of  his  parents 
and  still  malleable,  but  when  his  course  has  been 
completed  under  the  painstaking  care  of  his 
foster  mother,  his  standards  have  been  crystallized 
and  he  has  developed  into  a  man  of  courage, 
intellect,  and  honor.  And  when  graduation  day 
arrives,  and  West  Point  hands  each  man  his 
diploma,  with  it  she  gives  her  stamp  of  approval 
and  acknowledges  her  willingness  to  entrust  to 
his  keeping  the  cherished  traditions  of  the  Military 
Academy. 


CHAPTER  XII 

SPIRITUAL  INFLUENCES 

/^ADETS  love  to  lay  aside  the  restrictions  of 
^^  their  everyday  routine  life,  put  on  their 
athletic  uniforms  and  most  care-free  manners,  and 
wander  among  the  beautiful  hills  that  are  all 
around  West  Point.  They  like  to  enjoy  the 
emotions  that  spring  from  a  close  communion 
with  Nature,  both  in  the  winter,  when  the  after- 
noons are  short  and  the  valleys  quickly  fill  up 
with  purple  lights,  and  in  the  summer,  when  the 
country  is  extravagantly  clothed  in  luxuriant 
foliage.  If  the  day  of  the  cadet  has  been  warped 
by  all  sorts  of  petty  annoyances,  all  that  he  has 
to  do  is  to  climb  to  Redoubt  No.  4  or  go  to  Fort 
Putnam,  and  feast  his  eyes  upon  a  scene  of  unsur- 
passing  beauty  in  order  to  have  his  cramped  soul 
straightened  out  and  to  be  lifted  above  his  material 
surroundings.  What  greater  pleasure  does  his 
life  afford  than  to  lie  in  the  warm  spring  sunshine 
of  Fort  Putnam  and  drink  in  the  panorama  below? 
All  of  the  cares  of  his  daily  existence  drop  away 
under  the  spell  of  a  mysterious  kind  of  an  influence 
that  fills  his  being  and  stirs  his  innate  nobility. 


292  West  Point 

He  is  thankful  that  he  is  privileged  to  live  in  such 
a  wonderful  and  beautiful  place.  Its  effect  is 
like  that  of  some  drug  that  soothes  and  calms, 
that  gives  him  a  kindly  feeling  toward  humanity, 
and  that  makes  him  glad  to  be  alive.  On  all 
sides  he  is  affected  by  Nature  who  has  done  her 
best  to  develop  all  of  his  spirituality  and  to 
awaken  his  finer  sensibilities.  Wherever  he  wan- 
ders or  wherever  the  eye  roves,  there  is  a  scene 
to  admire,  almost  reverentially.  No  less  appealing 
than  the  hills  is  the  river  with  its  many  moods. 

And  there  are  the  buildings  whose  beauty  like- 
wise exerts  a  subtle  spiritual  influence  and  acts 
as  a  stimulant  to  the  development  of  the  cadet's 
aesthetic  tastes.  His  Barracks,  his  Recitation 
Halls,  his  Riding  Academy,  his  Gymnasium,  his 
Mess  Hall,  and  especially  his  Chapel,  built  as 
they  all  are  from  the  natural  rock  of  West  Point's 
hills,  seem  to  grow  right  out  of  their  surroundings 
as  if  God  planted  them  there  as  a  part  of  His 
natural  design.  Their  presence  is  ever  a  reminder 
to  the  cadet  that  he  has  consecrated  his  life  to  an 
ideal,  for  on  their  exteriors  are  carved  in  conspicu- 
ous places  the  shields  of  his  Alma  Mater  and  of  his 
country,  bearing  their  motto  of  duty  and  honor. 
The  walls  of  the  interiors  are  hung  with  the  por- 
traits of  famous  sons  of  the  Academy,  whose 
devotion  to  their  country  and  to  an  ideal  serves 
as  an  inspiration  to  the  cadet  and  makes  him 
sensible  to  the  value  of  moral  qualities. 

Hovering  over  both  the  grounds  and  the  build- 


Spiritual  Influences  293 

ings  is  the  influence  of  the  flag.  As  a  cadet  sees  it 
floating  from  its  tall  white  staff,  somehow  it  has 
come  to  have  a  different  meaning  from  the  days 
when  he  was  a  care-free  civilian.  It  seems  to 
him  to  possess  a  personality  of  which  he  never 
before  was  aware.  He  feels  for  it  a  real  reverence, 
because  he  is  conscious  of  being  in  the  presence 
of  something  big,  as  if  beholding  the  whole  power 
of  a  nation.  He  sees  in  it  the  emblem  of  the 
country's  sovereignty  and  the  symbol  to  which 
he  has  pledged  his  life's  service.  Mingled  with 
his  feeling  of  reverence  is  his  personal  affection. 
Day  after  day  he  has  watched  it  silhouetted 
against  the  sky  and  has  felt  the  thrill  of  patriotism, 
when  it  was  being  lowered  at  retreat  to  the  ac- 
companiment of  The  Star  Spangled  Banner. 

It  is  not  to  the  beauty  of  Nature  and  to  the  flag 
alone  that  the  cadet  must  turn  for  his  spiritual 
refreshment.  The  Chaplain,  a  man  with  a  fine 
grip  upon  the  Corps,  gathers  together  in  classes 
those  cadets  who  desire  to  come,  and  explains 
to  them  the  word  of  God.  His  Bible  classes 
today  are  a  continuation  of  the  famous  classes 
that  were  held  at  West  Point  for  so  many  years  by 
Miss  Anna  Warner.  During  the  summer  encamp- 
ment, she  taught  her  boys  in  the  old  chapel  after 
the  morning  services,  where  for  one  hour  the 
cadets  received  from  her  sainted  lips  an  interpreta- 
tion of  the  Scriptures,  and  were  elevated  by  contact 
with  her  noble  character.  I  can  see  her  before 
me  now,  her  quaint  silk  dress,  her  small  delicate 


294  West  Point 

body,  her  ethereal  face  framed  in  the  neatest  and 
whitest  of  curls  that  peeped  from  out  of  her  charm- 
ing poke  bonnet.  Her  whole  presence  radiated 
goodness  and  spirituality.  Prior  to  the  dismissal 
of  the  class  she  would  regularly  present  to  each 
cadet  a  fragrant  little  bouquet  of  flowers  that  she 
had  that  morning  gathered  from  her  modest 
garden,  and  arranged  into  the  daintiest  of  nose- 
gays. These  few  flowers  were  simple,  like  the 
donor,  but  they  brought  into  the  life  of  the  recipient 
a  spiritual  perfume  that  awakened  his  memories 
and  took  him  back  home  to  rose-scented  gardens 
and  neat  graveled  paths  where  another  sainted 
woman  was  praying  for  the  welfare  of  his  soul. 
So  he  took  the  little  nosegay  back  to  camp  with 
him  and  put  it  carefully  in  his  tumblerful  of 
water  alongside  of  his  tent,  as  a  reminder  of  what 
he  should  be,  and  as  a  check  on  ignoble  impulses. 
Here  and  there  in  his  own  company  streets,  he 
would  see  his  comrades'  bouquets,  little  dashes  of 
color,  the  red  of  the  petunia,  the  blue  of  the  corn- 
flower, the  yellow  of  the  marigold,  and  as  they 
caught  his  eye  they  seemed  to  be  a  part  of  Miss 
Warner  still  exerting  her  inspiring  influence. 

It  is  regrettable  that  the  cadets  of  the  future  will 
never  have  the  good  fortune  to  know  her,  for  last 
year  (1916)  she  passed  to  her  reward  after  ninety 
years  in  the  service  of  God.  Although  it  is  rare 
that  anyone  outside  the  Academy  is  buried  in  the 
cemetery  at  West  Point,  her  body  was  laid  to  rest 
there,  near  the  bluff  that  overlooks  the  Hudson 


Spiritual  Influences  295 

and  in  sight  of  her  home  on  Constitution  Island 
across  the  river,  that  a  short  time  before  her  death 
she  generously  gave  to  the  Government.  To 
the  Corps  of  Cadets  that  she  loved,  she  willed  a 
magnificent  original  portrait  of  Washington  by 
Gilbert  Stuart,  that  now  hangs  in  the  library. 

Her  Bible  class  still  goes  on.  Every  Sunday 
when  the  weather  is  fair  the  Chaplain  takes 
the  cadets  over  to  Constitution  Island,  where, 
under  the  trees  that  Miss  Warner  loved  so  well, 
he  continues  her  work.  If  Miss  Warner  sees 
her  "boys"  studying  the  word  of  God  in  the 
shadow  of  the  old  Revolutionary  House,  hallowed 
by  her  presence,  what  pleasure  she  must  feel ! 

If,  however,  neither  the  beauties  of  Nature  nor 
the  interest  of  the  Bible  class  appeal  to  the  cadet, 
he  cannot  help  having  his  spiritual  self  stirred 
by  the  impressive  service  at  the  Cadet  Chapel. 
All  cadets  are  required  to  attend  divine  service. 
The  large  majority  go  to  the  Cadet  Chapel  because 
it  is  for  all  denominations,  the  building  never 
having  been  consecrated  to  any  particular  faith, 
but  about  ten  per  cent,  of  the  cadets  attend  service 
at  the  Catholic  Chapel. 

The  service  at  the  Cadet  Chapel  is  so  impressive 
and  interesting  that  the  majority  of  the  cadets 
look  forward  with  pleasure  to  Sunday  morning. 
I  suppose  that  all  former  cadets  will  smile  upon 
reading  this  statement,  when  they  remember  the 
reluctance  with  which  they  donned  their  dress 
coats  and  belts  for  the  weekly  service,  at  which 


296 


West  Point 


they  had  difficulty  in  keeping  awake  while  the 
lessons  and  sermon  were  being  read.  But  times 
have  changed  since  then,  due  principally  to  the 
atmosphere  of  the  new  Chapel  and  the  music  of 
its  splendid  organ.  Sir  Roger  de  Coverly  would 
rejoice  to  behold  so  model  a  congregation  and 
to  hear  such  excellent  singing. 

The  interior  of  the  Chapel  is  worthy  of  its 
beautiful  service.  "Storied  windows  richly  dight" 
rise  majestically  to  the  high  Gothic  roof  and 
throw  upon  the  gray  walls  a  myriad  of  delicate 
lights,  pale  blues  and  pinks,  saffrons,  and  deep 
purples.  Two  parallel  rows  of  silk  flags,  the 
scarlet  of  the  artillery,  the  somber  blue  of  the 
infantry,  and  the  gold  of  the  cavalry,  hang  from 
the  long  covered  galleries  on  either  side  of  the 
nave.  The  deep  rich  shades  of  the  magnificent 
memorial  window  shroud  the  chancel  in  a  "dim 
religious  light."  Nor  is  the  service  lacking  in 
military  pomp.  Company  after  company  of  gray- 
clad  cadets,  their  brass  buttons  shining,  file 
briskly  into  the  Chapel.  The  tramping  of  hun- 
dreds of  pairs  of  feet  up  the  aisle  and  the  rattling 
of  their  buttons  against  the  pews  as  they  take  their 
seats  reverberate  through  the  vast  hall.  The 
officers,  in  their  uniforms,  and  their  families 
assemble  in  the  seats  along  the  sides. 

The  first  note  from  the  organ  announces  the 
commencement  of  the  service.  The  choir  of  over 
a  hundred  voices,  singing  the  processional  hymn, 
walk  two  by  two  in  slow  and  solemn  order  up  the 


Spiritual  Influences  297 

aisle  to  their  places  in  the  stalls.  A  wave  of 
music  sweeps  through  the  church  as  the  procession 
moves  forward.  Last  of  all  comes  the  Chaplain, 
immaculate  in  fresh  linen  surplice,  and  conspicuous 
by  his  distinguished  bearing. 

The  service  proceeds.  The  Chaplain  advances 
to  the  reading  desk  and  reads  the  lessons  for  the 
day.  Inspiring  hymns  are  then  sung,  followed  by 
an  eloquent  sermon  upon  subjects  that  touch  the 
daily  lives  of  the  cadets.  Once  again  the  cele- 
brated organ  peals  forth,  and  during  the  offertory 
casts  with  its  music  a  spell  over  the  devout 
congregation.  Two  stalwart  cadet  officers  then 
march  quickly  up  the  aisle  to  the  chancel  where 
awaits  the  Chaplain  to  receive  the  offerings. 
The  organ's  music  fills  the  church  anew  and  the 
hall  resounds  to  hundreds  of  strong  voices  singing 
"Praise  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,"  followed 
immediately  by  the  patriotic  hymn, 

My  Country  'tis  of  thee, 
Sweet  Land  of  Liberty, 

Of  thee  I  sing — 
Land  where  our  Fathers  died, 
Land  of  the  Pilgrims'  pride, 
From  every  mountain  side 

Let  Freedom  ring! 

The  Chaplain  standing  upon  the  steps  of  the 
altar  pronounces  the  solemn  benediction,  which  is 
scarcely  concluded  when  the  choir  begins  to  sing 
the  "Amen"  to  the  accompaniment  of  Holy 


298  West  Point 

Grail  motif  from  Parsifal.  Faintly  at  first  the 
singing  arises  from  the  stalls,  then  stronger  and 
stronger,  then  diminishing  in  volume  until  it 
dies  away  with  a  final  "Amen." 

Besides  the  service  at  the  Chapel  there  is  another 
service  held  on  Sundays.  It  is  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  a 
purely  religious  body  among  the  cadets  and  not 
as  in  the  cities  a  sort  of  club  house  where  a  swim- 
ming pool,  assembly  rooms,  and  gymnasium  are 
the  main  attractions.  These  advantages  are 
already  a  part  of  West  Point's  equipment.  The 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  at  the  Academy  meets  every  Sunday 
evening  after  supper  in  a  hall  over  one  of  the 
sally-ports,  and  here  after  a  few  prayers,  a  speaker 
makes  a  short  address.  On  week  days  the  hall  is 
frequented  by  cadets  only  to  read  the  papers  or 
to  play  the  victrola,  and  in  Lent  the  Chaplain 
holds  afternoon  services.  Formerly  the  Chap- 
lain held  these  prayers  immediately  after  breakfast, 
but  once  a  cadet  captain,  wishing  to  remind  the 
cadets  that  the  services  would  take  place  immedi- 
ately after  the  dismissal  of  the  Battalion,  mixed  up 
his  verbs  and  announced  very  emphatically ' '  cadets 
are  cautioned  about  the  ten-minute  service  in  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A."!  The  Sunday  service,  however,  is 
the  reason  for  the  existence  of  the  organization. 
The  prayers  are  not  long  and  the  addresses  some- 
times most  interesting,  especially  when  they  relate 
to  the  work  that  the  cadet  will  have  to  do  as  an 
officer.  The  meetings  are  usually  terminated 
when  the  bugler  blows  the  evening  call  to  quarters 


Spiritual  Influences  299 

in  the  sally-port  under  the  hall.  Of  all  the  sounds 
at  West  Point,  Sunday  evening  "call  to  quarters" 
is  the  most  doleful  and  depressing.  It  means  that 
after  the  break  of  Saturday  and  Sunday,  the 
cadet  must  once  more  turn  to  his  books  and  dig 
out  the  problems  for  Monday.  When  he  hears 
its  melancholy,  long-drawn-out  notes,  he  has  the 
Sunday  evening  feeling,  which  is  only  a  degree 
more  cheerful  than  the  blue  Monday  feeling,  and 
he  reluctantly  goes  back  to  his  room  to  begin 
anew  the  weekly  cycle. 

The  cadet  is  really  never  quite  free  from  the 
spiritual  influences  of  the  Academy.  Nature, 
his  Chapel,  traditions,  precept,  and  example  so 
arouse  and  sharpen  his  insight  into  things  and  into 
himself  that  his  day  gradually  assumes  a  new 
background.  These  are  the  influences  that,  when 
he  is  an  officer,  draw  him  back  to  his  Alma  Mater 
and  make  him  speak  of  it  always  with  undis- 
guised affection. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

THE  SPIRIT  OF  WEST  POINT 

ON  a  fine  bright  morning  about  the  middle 
of  June,  every  year,  the  Corps  of  Cadets 
wakes  up  to  find  that  Battle  Monument  and  vi- 
cinity have  been  completely  transformed.  The 
Quartermaster's  men  have  canopied  a  portion  of 
the  monument's  platform  with  beautiful  brand- 
new  flags,  and  placed  under  them  comfortable 
wicker  chairs  for  the  President,  the  Secretary  of 
War,  the  various  generals,  and  other  dignitaries 
who  usually  honor  West  Point  with  their  presence 
on  this  graduation  day.  On  the  front  edge  of 
the  platform  is  a  rostrum,  flag  bedecked,  for  the 
speaker  of  the  occasion,  and  spread  over  the  green 
lawn  are  rows  and  rows  of  seats  that  await 
the  coming  of  the  cadets.  Promptly  at  ten 
o'clock,  the  Corps  swings  across  the  parade 
ground  to  take  its  place  for  the  final  ceremonies 
that  mark  the  separation  of  another  class  from 
its  midst. 

This  is  the  day  of  days  in  the  life  of  each  man  of 
the  graduation  class.  His  four  years  are  at  last 
completed  and  he  is  about  to  be  given  the  great 

300 


The  Spirit  of  West  Point        301 

prize  for  which  he  has  so  ardently  striven — a 
commission  in  the  Army.  As  he  takes  his  seat 
in  front  of  the  platform,  he  is  a  little  nervous  in 
spite  of  the  joy  at  having  achieved  his  ambition. 
He  realizes  that  he  is  about  to  sever  the  ties  that 
have  held  him  fast  for  the  last  four  years  and  to 
bid  farewell  to  a  portion  of  his  life  that  'is  finished. 
A  little  tug  comes  at  his  heart-strings  but  it 
quickly  vanishes  as  he  listens  to  the  eloquent  words 
of  the  chief  speaker,  oftentimes  the  President, 
unfolding  to  his  receptive  imagination  the  duties 
and  honors  that  await  him  in  his  new  life  as  an 
officer.  And  when  the  President  reminds  him  of 
West  Point,  of  her  traditions,  of  the  advantages 
that  he  has  been  lovingly  given,  and  of  what  is 
expected  of  him  in  the  Army,  there  comes  to  his 
eyes  a  moisture  from  pride  and  gratitude.  Into  his 
mind  rapidly  crowd  a  thousand  and  one  recollections 
of  his  associations  at  the  Academy.  He  knows  now 
that  he  must  leave  the  Corps  behind,  that  he  must 
renounce  the  delightful  camaraderie  of  its  mem- 
bers, and  give  up  the  beautiful  surroundings 
wherein  he  has  grown  in  body,  mind,  and  soul. 
It  is  true  that  he  can  no  longer  wear  the  "gray, " 
or  take  away  with  him  his  friends,  or  the  build- 
ings, but  he  does  take  away  with  him  something 
that  is  finer  than  all  of  these.  One  can  see  it  in  his 
face  and  in  his  bearing.  He  goes  forth,  his  heart 
armed  with  the  triple  brass  of  Duty,  Honor, 
Country,  and  his  soul  filled  with  the  Spirit  of 
West  Point.  All  of  his  nature  has  been  elevated 


302  West  Point 

and  benefited  by  this  indefinable  essence.  It 
forever  connects  him  with  hundreds  of  other  men 
in  all  parts  of  our  country  and  identifies  him  with 
an  institution  whose  very  name,  WEST  POINT, 
no  matter  where  seen  or  heard,  thrills  him  with 
pleasure.  This  name  connotes  the  details  of  the 
most  impressionable  period  of  his  life.  Even  the 
words  themselves  seem  to  have  a  distinction  and 
personality  that  no  other  words  possess.  They 
are  flavored  with  romance  and  make  one  think  of 
something  fresh  and  crisp  and  clean,  something 
almost  hallowed.  They  are  themselves  clothed 
with  the  spirit  of  the  place  under  whose  influence 
and  power  he  will  forever  remain. 

He  leaves  the  Academy  to  join  the  great  frater- 
nity of  West  Pointers  in  the  Service,  animated  by 
the  same  spirit.  With  them,  he  is  this  year  (1917) 
called  upon  by  the  President  to  train  for  war  a  large 
army  of  his  fellow  citizens,  and  prepare  them  to  meet 
an  enemy  schooled  in  the  art  of  war  by  disciplined 
leaders.  West  Point  sends  him  forth  to  this  task, 
rich  in  knowledge.  His  Alma  Mater  is  confident 
that  he  will  train  these  men  of  the  new  Army  in  the 
fundamentals  of  their  profession  and  that  he  will 
inspire  them  with  his  ideals  of  courage  and  of  honor, 
and  imbue  them  with  the  Spirit  of  West  Point. 

In  the  training  of  the  National  Army,  he  will 
have  all  sorts  of  men  under  his  command,  but  the 
spirit  of  the  Academy  will  make  him  patient  and 
kind  with  the  stupid,  lend  a  hand  to  the  weak, 
give  a  word  of  cheer  to  the  down-hearted  (there 


0°: 


I 


d    « 


The  Spirit  of  West  Point        303 

will  be  plenty  of  them) ,  and  instill  into  all  the  ideal 
of  duty.  The  kind  of  discipline  that  he  himself 
received  at  West  Point  will  be  theirs.  He  will 
teach  them  to  bear  uncomplainingly  their  burdens, 
to  be  loyal  and  obedient,  to  care  for  their  health, 
and  to  march  and  to  fight  with  a  spirit  that  knows 
not  weariness  or  depression.  Then  when  these 
men  shall  be  sufficiently  trained,  he  will  go  with 
them  to  France,  in  the  wake  of  the  first  division 
of  Regulars  led  by  a  gallant  West  Pointer,  Major- 
General  John  J.  Pershing.  Here  he  will  appreciate 
as  never  before  the  value  of  a  great  moral  force 
like  the  spirit  of  West  Point.  It  will  aid  him  in 
overcoming  the  obstacles  in  his  path  and  in  those 
of  his  men,  especially  when  the  heroics  of  war 
and  the  novelty  of  being  abroad  have  ceased  to 
interest  them,  and  they  find  themselves  in  the 
trenches  in  No  Man's  Land.  They  will  be 
drenched  by  the  rain  and  burnt  by  the  sun;  they 
will  have  to  endure  the  vermin,  the  mud,  and  the 
dust.  They  will  be  driven  nearly  mad  by  the 
shrieking  and  bursting  of  the  shells,  they  will  see 
their  comrades  killed  and  wounded,  and  perhaps 
they  too  will  suffer  the  same  fate,  but  they  will 
not  flinch;  because  he  who  leads  them  will  have 
given  them  something  of  his  spirit — a  part  of 
himself  that  West  Point  made.  He  must  be  the 
prop  upon  which  they  may  lean,  if  need  be,  and 
his  spirit  the  reservoir  upon  which  they  may  draw 
for  refreshment.  And  should  he  be  called  upon 
to  pay  the  supreme  sacrifice,  he  will  leave  them 


304  West  Point 

the  Spirit  of  West  Point  to  carry  them  to  victory, 
while  he  goes  to  join  the  ghostly  assemblage  of 
his  fellow  West  Pointers,  standing  bareheaded  to 
salute  him,  as  he  has  stood  many  times  in  the 
presence  of  the  living  Corps. 

The  Corps!     Bareheaded  salute  it, 

With  eyes  up,  thanking  our  God 
That  we  of  the  Corps  are  treading, 

Where  they  of  the  Corps  have  trod — 
They  are  here  in  ghostly  assemblage, 

The  men  of  the  Corps  long  dead, 
And  our  hearts  are  standing  attention, 

While  we  wait  for  their  passing  tread. 

We,  sons  of  today,  we  salute  you, 

You  sons  of  its  earlier  day, 
We  follow,  close  order  behind  you 

Where  you  have  pointed  the  way; 
The  long  gray  line  of  us  stretches 

Through  the  years  of  a  century  told, 
And  the  last  man  feels  to  his  marrow 

The  grip  of  your  far-off  hold. 

Grip  hands  with  us  now,  though  we  see  not, 

Grip  hands  with  us,  strengthen  our  hearts, 
As  the  long  line  stiffens  and  straightens, 

With  the  thrill  that  your  presence  imparts. 
Grip  hands,  though  it  be  from  the  shadows, 

While  we  swear,  as  you  did  of  yore, 
Or  living  or  dying  to  honor 

The  Corps,  and  the  Corps,  and  the  Corps. 


APPENDIX 

(From  the    Official    Register  of    the    United   States   Military 
Academy — 1916) 

WAR  DEPARTMENT 

Information  Relative  to   the  Appointment  and  Ad- 
mission of  Cadets  to  the  United  States 
Military  Academy 

(1916  Edition.    Revised  Annually.) 

[Communications  relating  to  matters  connected  with  the  Mili- 
tary Academy  should  be  addressed  to  The  Adjutant  General 
of  the  Army,  Washington,  D.  C.] 


THE  CORPS  OF  CADETS 

The  Act  of  Congress  approved  May  4,  1916,  provides  as 
follows: 

"That  the  Corps  of  Cadets  at  the  United  States  Military 
Academy  shall  hereafter  consist  of  two  for  each  Congressional 
district,  two  from  each  Territory,  four  from  the  District  of 
Columbia,  two  from  natives  of  Porto  Rico,  four  from  each  State 
at  large,  and  eighty  from  the  United  States  at  large,  twenty  of 
whom  shall  be  selected  from  among  the  honor  graduates  of  educa- 
tional institutions  having  officers  of  the  Regular  Army  detailed  as 
professors  of  military  science  and  tactics  under  existing  law  or 
any  law  hereafter  enacted  for  the  detail  of  officers  of  the  Regular 
Army  to  such  institutions,  and  which  institutions  are  designated 
as  'honor  schools'  upon  the  determination  of  their  relative 
standing  at  the  last  preceding  annual  inspection  regularly  made 
by  the  War  Department.  They  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Presi- 

305 

20 


306  Appendix 

dent  and  shall,  with  the  exception  of  the  eighty  appointed  from 
the  United  States  at  large,  be  actual  residents  of  the  Congressional 
or  Territorial  district,  or  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  or  of  the 
island  of  Porto  Rico,  or  of  the  States,  respectively,  from  which 
they  purport  to  be  appointed:  Provided,  That  so  much  of  the 
Act  of  Congress  approved  March  fourth,  nineteen  hundred  and 
fifteen  (Thirty-eighth  Statutes  at  Large,  page  eleven  hundred 
and  twenty-eight),  as  provides  for  the  admission  of  a  successor 
to  any  cadet  who  shall  have  finished  three  years  of  his  course  at 
the  academy  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  repealed:  Provided 
further:  That  the  appointment  of  each  member  of  the  present 
Corps  of  Cadets  is  validated  and  confirmed. 

"Sec.  2.  That  the  President  is  hereby  authorized  to  appoint 
cadets  to  the  United  States  Military  Academy  from  among  en- 
listed men  in  number  as  nearly  equal  as  practicable  of  the  Regular 
Army  and  the  National  Guard  between  the  ages  of  nineteen 
and  twenty-two  years  who  have  served  as  enlisted  men  not  less 
than  one  year,  to  be  selected  under  such  regulations  as  the 
President  may  prescribe:  Provided,  That  the  total  number  so 
selected  shall  not  exceed  one  hundred  and  eighty  at  any  one  time. 

"Sec.  3.  That,  under  such  regulations  as  the  President  shall 
prescribe,  the  increase  in  the  number  of  cadets  provided  for  by 
this  Act  shall  be  divided  into  four  annual  increments,  which  shall 
be  as  nearly  equal  as  practicable  and  be  equitably  distributed 
among  the  sources  from  which  appointments  are  authorized." 

Annual  Increments. — States  at  large,  2 1 ;  Congressional  districts, 
92;  Alaska,  District  of  Columbia,  Hawaii  and  Porto  Rico,  com- 
bined, i  each  year  to  the  source  longest  without  an  appointment, 
and,  when  the  periods  are  equal,  the  choice  to  be  by  lot;  Honor 
Schools,  5;  Regular  Army,  23  in  1916,  22  in  1917,  23  in  1918,  and 

22  in  1919;  National  Guard,  22  in  1916,  23  in  1917, 22  in  1918,  and 

23  in  1919. 

APPOINTMENTS 

How  Made. — The  appointments  from  a  Congressional  district 
are  made  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Representative  in 
Congress  from  that  district,  and  those  from  a  State  at  large  upon 
the  recommendations  of  the  Senators  of  the  State.  Similarly, 
the  appointments  from  a  Territory  are  made  upon  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  Delegate  in  Congress.  The  appointments  from 


Appendix  307 

the  District  of  Columbia  are  made  upon  the  recommendation  of 
the  Commissioners  of  the  District.  Each  person  appointed  must 
be  an  actual  resident  of  the  State,  District,  or  Territory  from 
which  the  appointment  is  made. 

The  appointments  from  the  United  States  at  large  are  made 
by  the  President  of  the  United  States  upon  his  own  selection. 
The  cadets  from  Porto  Rico,  who  must  be  natives  of  that  island, 
are  appointed  by  the  President  on  the  recommendation  of  the 
Resident  Commissioner. 

The  appointments  from  among  the  honor  graduates  of  educa- 
tional institutions  designated  as  "honor  schools"  will  be  made 
upon  the  recommendation  of  the  heads  of  the  respective  schools. 

The  appointments  from  among  the  enlisted  men  of  the  National 
Guard  will  be  made  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Governors 
of  the  respective  States  and  Territories. 

The  appointments  from  among  the  enlisted  men  of  the  regular 
army  will  be  made  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Commanding 
Generals  of  the  Territorial  Departments. 

The  Secretary  of  War  is  authorized  to  permit  not  exceeding 
four  Filipinos,  to  be  designated,  one  for  each  class,  by  the  Gover- 
nor General  of  the  Philippine  Islands,  to  receive  instruction  at 
the  United  States  Military  Academy  at  West  Point:  Provided, 
That  the  Filipinos  undergoing  instruction,  shall  receive  the  same 
pay,  allowances,  and  emoluments  as  are  authorized  by  law  for 
cadets  at  the  Military  Academy  appointed  from  the  United  States, 
to  be  paid  out  of  the  same  appropriations:  And  provided  further, 
That  said  Filipinos  undergoing  instruction  on  graduation  shall  be 
eligible  only  to  commissions  in  the  Philippine  Scouts.  And  the 
provisions  of  section  1321,  Revised  Statutes,  are  modified  in 
the  case  of  Filipinos  undergoing  instruction,  so  as  to  require 
them  to  engage  to  serve  for  eight  years,  unless  sooner  discharged, 
in  the  Philippine  Scouts. 

Date  of  Appointments. — Appointments  are  required  by  law  to 
be  made  one  year  in  advance  of  the  date  of  admission,  except  in 
cases  where,  by  reason  of  death  or  other  cause,  a  vacancy  occurs 
which  cannot  be  provided  for  by  such  appointment  in  advance. 
These  vacancies  are  filled  in  time  for  the  next  examination. 

Candidates. — For  each  vacancy  from  a  State  at  large,  or 
Congressional  or  Territorial  district,  three  candidates  should  be 
nominated,  one  of  the  candidates  to  be  named  as  principal,  one 


3o8  Appendix 

as  first  alternate,  and  one  as  second  alternate.  The  first  alternate, 
if  qualified,  will  be  admitted  in  the  event  of  failure  of  the  principal ; 
the  second  alternate,  if  qualified,  will  be  admitted  in  the  event 
of  the  failure  of  the  principal  and  the  first  alternate. 

For  vacancies  in  the  cadetships  allotted  to  the  honor  graduates 
of  the  "honor  schools,"  one  candidate  may  be  nominated  each 
year  before  September  ist  from  each  school.  In  case  the  total 
number  of  candidates  so  nominated  is  not  equal  to  three  times 
the  number  of  vacancies,  the  War  Department  will  assign  addi- 
tional appointments  among  the  schools  to  complete  this  total. 

For  vacancies  in  the  cadetships  allotted  to  the  enlisted  men  of 
the  National  Guard,  the  candidates  will  be  apportioned  as  near  as 
practicable  among  the  States,  Districts,  and  Territories  according 
to  their  enlisted  strength.  With  the  exception  of  the  candidates 
from  the  District  of  Columbia,  they  will  be  selected  by  the  Govern- 
ors from  successful  competitors  in  a  preliminary  examination  held 
between  January  ist  and  January  I5th  of  each  year,  such  examina- 
tion to  be  of  a  scope  and  nature  similar  to  the  regular  examination 
for  entrance  to  the  United  States  Military  Academy.  The  candi- 
dates from  the  National  Guard  of  the  District  of  Columbia  will  be 
similarly  selected  by  the  Commanding  General  of  that  organization. 

The  candidates  nominated  for  the  cadetships  allotted  to  the 
enlisted  men  of  the  regular  army  shall  not  exceed  three  times  the 
number  of  existing  vacancies  and  shall  be  equitably  distributed 
among  the  Territorial  Departments  by  the  War  Department. 
If  the  number  of  applications  in  any  Department  exceed  the 
share  allotted  to  it  by  the  War  Department,  the  candidates  in 
such  Department  will  be  chosen  from  the  successful  competitors 
in  a  preliminary  examination  held  between  January  ist  and 
January  I5th,  such  examination  to  be  of  a  scope  and  nature 
similar  to  the  regular  examination  for  entrance  to  the  United 
States  Military  Academy.1 

Each  candidate  designated  to  take  the  regular  examination  for 
admission  to  the  United  States  Military  Academy  will  receive 
from  the  War  Department  a  letter  of  appointment,  and  he  must 
appear  for  examination  at  the  time  and  place  designated  therein.2 

1  In  the  Philippine  Department  the  preliminary  examination  will  be  held 
between  December  ist  and  December  isth. 

3  The  board  before  which  a  candidate  is  directed  to  appear  will  be  the  one 
convened  at  the  place  nearest  or  most  convenient  to  his  home,  or  to  the  school 
at  which  he  is  in  regular  attendance  at  the  time  of  appointment. 


Appendix  309 


Fitness  for  admission  will  be  determined  as  prescribed  in  the 
Regulations,  United  States  Military  Academy. 

REGULAR  EXAMINATION  OF  CANDIDATES 

Examinations  of  candidates  will  be  competitive  in  the  following 
classes,  and  will  be  the  regular  examination  for  entrance  to  the 
United  States  Military  Academy: 

(1)  Candidates  from  the  United  States  at  Large,  other  than 
honor  graduates  of  honor  schools. 

(2)  Candidates  from  the  United  States  at  Large,  who  are 
honor  graduates  of  honor  schools. 

(3)  Candidates  from  the  enlisted  men  of  the  National  Guard. 

(4)  Candidates  from  the  enlisted  men  of  the  Regular  Army. 

The  Filipino  candidates  selected  for  appointment,  unless  other- 
wise notified  by  the  War  Department,  shall  appear  for  mental  and 
physical  examination  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  January  of  each 
year  before  a  board  of  Army  officers  to  be  convened  at  such  place 
in  the  Philippine  Islands  as  the  commanding  general  of  the 
Philippine  Department  may  designate. 

Admission  by  Examinations. — On  the  third  Tuesday  in  March 
of  each  year  candidates  selected  for  appointment  shall  appear 
for  mental  and  physical  examination  before  boards  of  Army 
officers  to  be  convened  at  such  places  as  the  War  Department 
may  designate. 

Each  candidate  must  show  by  examination  that  he  is  well 
versed  in  algebra,  to  include  quadratic  equations  and  progres- 
sions, and  in  plane  geometry,  English  grammar,  composition  and 
literature,  descriptive  and  physical  geography,  and  general  and 
United  States  history,  as  explained  in  the  circular  of  notification. 

Admission  by  Certificate. — The  Academic  Board  will  consider 
and  may  accept  in  lieu  of  the  regular  mental  examination: 

(i)  A  properly  attested  certificate  (Form  I)  that  the  candidate 
is  a  regularly  enrolled  student  in  good  standing  without  condition 
in  a  university,  college,  or  technical  school  accredited  by  the 
United  States  Military  Academy,  provided  that  the  entrance 
requirements  of  the  course  he  is  pursuing  require  proficiency 
in  subjects  amounting  to  not  less  than  14  units  of  the  list  given 
below. 

If  attendance  at  college  extends  over  a  semester,  a  full  record 
of  academic  work  at  the  college,  giving  subjects  taken  and  grades 


3io 


Appendix 


attained  in  each,  must  accompany  the  certificate;  if  attendance 
at  college  extends  over  less  than  a  semester  and  the  candidate 
was  admitted  to  college  by  certificate,  a  certificate  (Form  II) 
from  the  preparatory  school  giving  a  full  record  of  studies  taken 
and  grades  attained  must  accompany  the  college  certificate.  If  a 
scrutiny  of  the  certificate  submitted  shows  low  grades,  the 
certificate  will  be  rejected. 

A  certificate  indicating  enrollment  in  or  admission  to  an 
institution  at  any  other  time  than  that  specified  in  the  college 
register  for  regular  admission  or  enrollment  will  be  not 
accepted. 

(2)  A  properly  attested  certificate  (Form  II)  that  the  candi- 
date has  graduated  from  a  preparatory  school  or  public  high 
school  accredited  by  the  United  States  Military  Academy,  pro- 
vided that  he  has  in  his  school  work  shown  proficiency  in  subjects 
amounting  to  not  less  than  14  units  of  the  list  given  below. 

If  a  scrutiny  of  the  certificate  submitted  shows  evidence  of  low 
grades  or  of  graduation  at  an  irregular  date,  the  certificate  will 
be  rejected. 

(3)  A  properly  attested  certificate  (Form  III)  from  the  College 
Entrance  Examination  Board  that  the   candidate   has   shown 
proficiency  in  the  examinations  set  by  the  board  in  subjects 
amounting  to  14  units  from  the  list  given  below.     If  a  scrutiny 
of  the  certificate  submitted  shows  low  grades,  the  certificate 
will  be  rejected. 

The  list  of  subjects  and  the  corresponding  weights  in  units  is  as 
follows: 

(a)  REQUIRED. 


Every  certificate  must  show  evidence  of  proficiency  in  the  following 
subjects. 


u 

Mathematics,  Ai 

nits. 
I 

X 

I 

2 
I 

History,  A 
History,  B 
History,  C 
History,  D 

Mathematics,  A2  
Mathematics,  C  . 

English,  A  

Enelish.  B.  . 

Units. 


any  two ....       2 


Appendix 


(6)  OPTIONAL. 

The  remaining  6^4  units  may  be  supplied  from  among  the  following 
subjects,  and  no  others. 


Units. 

Mathematics,  B y* 

Mathematics,  D l/4 

Mathematics,  E ^ 

Mathematics,  F ^ 

History,  A  |    Any  not  sub-  I 

History,  B  I  mitted  among  I 

History,  C  f  required   sub-  I 

History,  DJ  jects  I 

Latin,  I I 

Latin,  2 I 

Latin,  3 2 

Latin,  4 I 

Latin,  5 I 

Greek,  Ai Y* 

Greek,  A2 ft 

Greek,  B I 

Greek,  C I 


Units 

Greek,  F i 

French,  A 2 

French,  B     Either  one  I 

French,  BC  but  not  both        2 

German,  A 2 

German,  B     Either  one  I 

German,  BC  but  not  both        2 

Spanish 2 

Physics 

Chemistry 

Biology 

Botany 

Physiology 

Physical  geography 

Drawing 

35 


The  definition  of  unit  and  of  the  ground  covered  by  the  desig- 
nated subjects  is  that  of  the  College  Entrance  Examination  Board. 
Credits  must  correspond  to  the  unit  values  of  the  respective 
subjects.  Greater  credit  than  indicated  will  not  be  allowed; 
less  credit  will  be  understood  as  evidence  that  the  entire  subject 
has  not  been  completed. 

Certificates  should  be  submitted  not  later  than  February  I5th. 
A  certificate  received  between  February  I5th  and  the  examination 
will  receive  consideration,  but  in  view  of  the  short  time  left  to  the 
Academic  Board  to  investigate  its  value,  no  assurance  will  be 
given  that  such  certificate  can  be  acted  on  in  time  to  exempt 
the  candidate  from  the  mental  examination. 

Candidates  who  submit  certificates  on  a  date  which  does  not 
allow  the  Academic  Board  sufficient  time  to  investigate  its  value 
and  notify  them  regarding  the  final  action  thereon  prior  to  the 
day  set  for  the  examination,  should  proceed  with  the  regular 
examination. 

Candidates  who  are  informed  that  their  certificates  have  been 
accepted  must  present  themselves  at  the  regular  time  and  place 
as  herein  prescribed,  for  physical  examination. 


312 


Appendix 


A  certificate  which  is  accepted  as  satisfactory  for  one  exami- 
nation will  be  regarded  as  satisfactory  for  any  other  examination 
which  may  be  set  for  entrance  with  the  same  class. 

Any  certificate  accepted  for  one  class,  and  presented  for  a 
succeeding  class,  should  be  accompanied  with  a  full  statement  of 
the  candidate's  educational  work  in  the  interim,  and  both  cer- 
tificate and  statement  will  be  subject  to  careful  scrutiny  by  the 
Academic  Board.  (Par.  65,  Regs.,  U.  S.  M.  A.) 

All  necessary  papers,  including  a  set  of  blank  certificate 
forms,  are  furnished  to  each  duly  nominated  candidate  by  The 
Adjutant  General  of  the  Army. 

Note. — Certificates  will  be  accepted  only  from  candidates 
appointed  from  States  at  large,  Congressional  districts,  Terri- 
tories, and  the  District  of  Columbia. 

Certificates  may  be  accepted  for  admission  of  candidates 
from  the  Regular  Army  and  National  Guard  in  the  same 
manner  as  they  are  accepted  for  candidates  nominated  by 
Congressmen,  except  that  acceptable  certificates  entitle  the 
candidate  to  appointment  only  in  case  the  authorized  number 
of  vacancies  for  that  year  are  not  filled  by  the  regular 
examination. 

Date  of  Admission. — Candidates  who  fully  conform  to  the 
requirements  set  forth  in  the  preceding  paragraphs,  and  who 
report  in  person  to  the  Superintendent  before  10:30  A.M.  the 
second  day,  Sunday  excepted,  following  the  date  of  regular 
graduation,  shall  be  admitted  as  cadets  of  the  United  States 
Military  Academy,  and  shall  receive  their  warrants  as  soon  as 
practicable. 

Engagement  to  Serve. — Immediately  after  reporting  to  the 
Superintendent  for  admission  and  before  receiving  their  warrants 
of  appointment  candidates  are  required  to  sign  in  the  presence 
of  the  Superintendent,  or  of  some  officer  deputed  by  him,  engage- 
ments for  service  in  the  following  form : 

I, ,  of  the  State  (or  Territory)  of ,  aged years, 

months,  do  hereby  engage  (with  consent  of  my  parent  or 

guardian)  that  from  the  date  of  my  admission  as  a  cadet  of  the 
United  States  Military  Academy  I  will  serve  in  the  Army  of  the 
United  States  for  eight  years  unless  sooner  discharged  by  com- 
petent authority. 

In  the  presence  of . 


Appendix  313 

In  the  case  of  the  Filipino  cadets  the  engagement  shall  be  made 
to  serve  in  the  Philippine  Scouts.  (See  Sec.  1321,  R.  S.) 

Oath  of  Allegiance. — Each  cadet  shall,  previous  to  his  admission 
to  the  academy,  take  and  subscribe  an  oath  or  affirmation  in  the 
following  form : 

I, ,  do  solemnly  swear  that  I  will  support  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  United  States  and  bear  true  allegiance  to  the 
National  Government;  that  I  will  maintain  and  defend  the 
sovereignty  of  the  United  States  paramount  to  any  and  all 
allegiance,  sovereignty,  or  fealty  I  may  owe  to  any  State,  county, 
or  country  whatsoever,  and  that  I  will  at  all  times  obey  the  legal 
orders  of  my  superior  officers  and  the  rules  and  articles  governing 
the  Armies  of  the  United  States.  (Sec.  1320,  R.  S.) 

Sworn  to  and  subscribed  at this  —  day  "of ,  nine- 
teen hundred  and  — ,  before  me. 

Qualifications. — No  candidate  shall  be  admitted  who  is  under 
17  or  over  22  years  of  age  or  less  than  5  feet  4  inches  in  height 
at  the  age  of  17,  or  5  feet  5  inches  in  height  at  the  age  of  18  and 
upward,  or  who  is  deformed  or  afflicted  with  any  disease  or 
infirmity  which  would  render  him  unfit  for  the  military  ser- 
vice or  who  has,  at  the  time  of  presenting  himself,  any  dis- 
order of  an  infectious  or  immoral  character.  Candidates  must 
be  unmarried. 

Each  candidate  must  on  reporting  at  West  Point  present  a 
certifiate  showing  successful  vaccination  within  one  year;  or  a 
certificate  of  two  vaccinations  made  at  least  a  month  apart, 
within  three  months. 

Note. — Candidates  are  eligible  for  admission  from  the  day  they 
are  17  until  the  day  they  become  22  years  of  age,  on  which  latter 
day  they  are  not  eligible. 

Each  candidate  designated  as  principal  or  alternate  for  appoint- 
ment as  cadet  at  the  Military  Academy  should  ascertain  as  soon 
as  practicable  whether  or  not  he  has  any  physical  defect  that 
would  disqualify  him  for  admission  to  the  academy  or  any  that 
should  be  corrected  by  treatment  previous  to  presenting  himself 
for  examination.  For  this  purpose  he  should  immediately 
cause  himself  to  be  examined  by  his  family  physician,  and,  if  he 
desires,  also  by  an  Army  surgeon  at  the  nearest  military  post. 
Such  an  examination  should  enable  the  candidate  to  decide 
whether  to  devote  the  time  and  possible  expense  which  may  be 


3H  Appendix 

necessary  for  preparation  for  the  entrance  examination  or  to 
relinquish  his  appointment. 

The  presentation  by  a  candidate  of  his  letter  of  conditional 
appointment,  or  the  presentation  by  a  prospective  candidate  of 
a  letter  signed  by  a  Member  of  Congress  stating  that  the  bearer  is 
to  be  a  candidate  for  cadet  appointment  and  requesting  that  he 
be  physically  examined,  will  be  sufficient  authority  for  an  Army 
surgeon  at  any  military  post  to  make  the  desired  physical  exami- 
nation. Upon  completion  of  this  examination,  the  Army  surgeon 
will  inform  the  candidate  of  the  result,  and,  in  case  a  disability 
be  found,  whether  such  disability  is  believed  to  be  permanent 
and  disqualifying  for  military  service  or  whether  it  is  believed 
to  be  of  a  temporary  or  curable  nature.  The  examination  is  to 
be  regarded  as  preliminary  only,  and  in  no  manner  to  affect  the 
decision  of  the  regular  medical  examining  board. 

CHARACTER  OF  EXAMINATIONS 

PHYSICAL  EXAMINATION 

The  physical  examination  is  conducted  under  the  following 
instructions  prepared  by  the  Surgeon  General  of  the  Army: 
Candidates  who,  upon  reporting,  present  evidence  that  they  have 
been  excused  from  the  mental  examination  under  the  provisions 
of  the  certificate  privilege,  or  as  the  result  of  having  qualified 
mentally  at  a  previous  examination,  are  usually  examined  physi- 
cally as  soon  as  possible  after  reporting  and  are  not  required  to 
wait  until  the  schedule  of  mental  examinations  has  been  com- 
pleted. The  physical  examination  of  all  candidates  taking  the 
mental  examination  begins  on  the  fourth  day  and  is  continued 
daily  until  completed. 

Hearing  must  be  normal  in  both  ears. 

Vision  as  determined  by  the  official  test  types  must  not  fall 
below  f£  in  either  eye.  If  below  f§,  it  must  be  correctable 
to  f£  by  proper  glasses. 

In  the  record  of  all  examinations  the  acuity  of  vision  without 
glasses,  and  also  with  glasses  when  the  acuity  is  less  than  M, 
will  be  given  for  each  eye  separately;  in  the  latter  case  the  correc- 
tion will  also  be  noted. 

Hyperopia  with  vision  less  «than  f  §  and  myopia  or  astigma- 


Appendix  315 

tism,  either  hyperopic  or  myopic,  with  vision  less  than  IS, 
are  causes  for  rejection. 

Squint  uncorrectable  by  glasses  (not  prisms)  is  a  cause  for 
rejection. 

Color  blindness,  red,  green,  or  violet,  is  cause  for  rejection. 

The  foregoing  requirements  apply  to  eyes  from  disease,  either 
acute  or  chronic.  All  lesions  of  the  fundus,  except  those  due  to 
simple  myopia,  lesions  not  progressive  in  character,  whether  old 
or  of  recent  origin,  are  causes  for  rejection. 

A  certificate  from  a  competent  oculist  may  be  accepted  at  the 
option  of  the  examining  board,  as  evidence  of  freedom  from 
lesions  of  the  fundus. 

Teeth. — A  candidate  must  have  at  least  12  of  the  20  double 
teeth  in  serviceable  condition,  so  placed  that  6  of  them  are 
"opposed"  by  6  others.  Where  not  all  of  the  third  molars  have 
erupted  and  there  are  none  opposed,  8  serviceable  double  teeth 
must  be  present,  so  placed  that  4  are  opposed  by  4  others.  Where 
there  are  two  opposed  third  molars,  the  requirements  will  be 
at  least  6  double  teeth  opposed  by  6  others.  Well  crowned 
teeth  are  considered  as  good  teeth.  Teeth  containing  large 
cavities  or  exposed  nerves  are  considered  as  cause  for  rejection, 
but  a  candidate  with  unsound  teeth  may  be  accepted  subject 
to  the  condition  of  having  cavities  filled  and  teeth  put  in  satis- 
factory shape  before  the  date  set  for  his  entrance  to  West  Point. 

The  following  are  causes  of  disqualification  if  found  to  exist 
to  such  a  degree  as  would  immediately  or  at  no  very  distant 
period  impair  the  efficiency  of  the  candidate: 


1.  Feeble    constitution;    un- 

sound health  from  what- 
ever cause;  indications  of 
former  disease,  glandular 
swellings,  or  other  symp- 
toms of  scrofula. 

2.  Chronic    cutaneous    affec- 

tions, especially  of  the 
scalp. 

3 .  Severe  in j  uries  of  the  bones 

of  the  head ;  convulsions. 

4.  Impaired     vision,       from 


whatever  cause;  inflam- 
matory affections  of 
the  eyelids;  immobility 
or  irregularity  of  the  iris; 
fistula  lachrymalis,  etc. 

5.  Deafness;      copious     dis- 

charge from  the  ears. 

6.  Impediment  of  speech. 

7.  Want  of  due  capacity  of  the 

chest,  and  any  other 
indication  of  a  liability 
to  a  pulmonic  disease. 


Appendix 


8.  Impaired    or    inadequate 

efficiency  of  one  or  both 
of  the  superior  extremi- 
ties on  account  of  frac- 
tures, especially  of  the 
clavicle,  contraction  of 
a  joint,  deformity,  etc. 

9.  An  unusual  excurvature  or 

incurvature  of  the  spine. 

10.  Hernia. 

11.  A  varicose  state  of  the 
veins  of  the  scrotum  or 
spermatic      cord      (when 
large),  hydrocele,  hemor- 
rhoids, fistulas. 


12.  Impaired   or   inadequate 
efficiency  of  one  or  both 
of  the  inferior  extremities 
on    account    of    varicose 
veins,    fractures,    malfor- 
mation   (flat   feet,    etc.), 
lameness,  contraction,  un- 
equal    length,     bunions, 
overlying  or  supernumer- 
ary toes,  etc. 

13.  Ulcers  or  unsound   cica- 
trices of  ulcers  likely  to 
break  out  afresh. 


The  requirements  of  the  following  tables  of  physical  propor- 
tions are  minimum  for  growing  youths  and  are  for  the  guidance  of 
medical  officers  in  connection  with  the  other  data  of  the  exami- 
nation, a  consideration  of  all  of  which  should  determine  the 
candidate's  physical  eligibility.  Mere  fulfilment  of  the  require- 
ments of  the  standard  tables  does  not  determine  eligibilit}', 
while  on  the  other  hand  no  departure  below  the  standard  should 
be  allowed  unless  upon  the  unanimous  recommendation  of  the 
medical  examining  board  for  excellent  reasons  clearly  stated  in 
each  case. 

The  physical  requirements  should  be  those  of  the  age  at  the 
birthday  nearest  the  time  of  the  examination.  Fractions  greater 
than  one-half  inch  will  be  considered  as  an  additional  inch  of 
height,  but  candidates  17  years  old  must  be  at  least  64  inches,  and 
those  1 8  years  and  upward  at  least  65  inches  in  height. 


Appendix 


TABLE  FOR  PHYSICAL  PROPORTION  FOR  HEIGHT,  WEIGHT, 

AND  CHEST  MEASUREMENT 


4jfl 

?^ 

A     1 

Age 

|| 

H 

•~S  £ 
8£"« 

•**    §    B 

O  5-S 

Age 

|| 

fl 

~*ISS 
*  §  «'£-? 

Silts 

ifi 

64 

no 

112 

29% 

2 

2 

a 

117 

ioM 

2 
2 

66 

114 

29M? 

2 

67 

121 

30% 

2 

n  yrs.    • 

67 
68 

116 
119 

29% 

30 

ly* 

1  8  yrs. 

68 

69 

124 

127 

3I1 

all 

69 

7O 

122 
125 

30% 
30^2 

22l(l 

70 

71 

130 

133 

31*1 

all 

71 

128 

30% 

2Y2 

72, 

136 

32 

3 

65 

121 

30% 

2 

65 

122 

3I1 

2 

66 

123 

3Ii 

2 

66 

124 

2 

67 

125 

2 

67 

126 

31/^3 

2 

19  yrs.    • 

68 
69 
70 

129 
133 
137 

31% 

32 

2\J 

2>i 

2^ 

20  yrs.    < 

68 
69 
70 

130 

134 
138 

31% 

s 

71 

141 

32% 

71 

142 

32/^ 

2^2 

72 

145 

3 

72 

146 

32% 

3 

73 

149 

32% 

3 

73 

ISO 

33 

3 

74 

154 

33% 

33-i 

65 

123 

31% 

2 

65 

125 

3*^J 

2 

66 

125 

31  1/£ 

2 

66 

12? 

giax 

2 

67 

127 

31% 

2 

67 

129 

32 

2 

68 

132 

32 

2Y<1 

68 

134 

32M 

2/2 

21  yrs.    • 

69 

70 
71 

137 

142 

147 

32% 

32% 

2Yl 

22  yrs.    < 

69 
70 

139 
144 
149 

325i 

32% 
33,* 

i 

72 

152 

33 

3 

72 

154 

33% 

3 

73 
74 

157 
162 

33% 
33  Yi 

73 

74 

159 
164 

33% 

3j 

75 

167 

33% 

33/2 

M 

169 

174 

4 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Army  posts  at  which  the  examina- 
tion is  usually  held: 


Port  Banks,  Mass. 
Fort  Slocum,  N.  Y. 
Washington  Barracks,  D.  C. 
Jackson  Barracks,  New  Orleans, 

La. 

Fort  Shafter,  Honolulu,  Hawaii. 
Columbus  Barracks,  Ohio. 
Fort  Williams,  Maine. 
Fort  St.  Michaels,  Alaska. 


Fort  Sill,  Okla. 

Fort  Leavenworth,  Kans. 

Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo. 

Fort  Ethan  Allen,  Vt. 

Fort  Bade,  Fla. 

Fort  Logan  H.  Roots,  Ark. 

Fort  Logan,  Colo. 

Fort  Sam  Houston,  Tex. 

Presidio  of  San  Francisco.  Cal. 


318  Appendix 

Corozal,  Canal  Zone.  Vancouver  Barracks,  Wash. 

Fort  McPherson,  Ga.  Fort  Bliss,  Texas. 

Fort  Snelling,  Minn.  Fort  Wm.  H.  Seward,  Alaska. 

Fort  Sheridan,  111.  Fort  Rosecrans,  Cal. 

MENTAL  EXAMINATION 

The  examination  takes  place  as  follows,  viz. : 
ist  Day. — Blank  for  personal  and  school  history  to  be  filled  out 
by  all  who  report  for  examination,  n  a.m.  to  12, 
noon,  i  hour. 

History,  i  to  5  p.m.,  4  hours. 
2d  Day. — Algebra,  9  a.m.  to  i  p.m.,  4  hours. 
Geography,  2  to  5  p.m.,  3  hours. 
3d  Day. — Geometry,  9  a.m.  to  I  p.m.,  4  hours. 

English  Grammar,  Composition,  and  Literature,  i :  30 

5:30  p.  m.,  4  hours. 

Every  candidate  who  reports  is  required  to  fill  out,  in  the 
most  careful  manner,  the  personal  and  school  history  sheet 
and  the  autograph  and  official  notification  address  blanks.  The 
fact  that  a  candidate  may  be  reporting  for  the  physical  exami- 
nation only,  does  not  by  any  means  exempt  him  from  accomplishing 
these  blanks,  as  the  information  they  contain  is  vitally  necessary 
for  the  permanent  and  statistical  records  of  the  Military  Academy. 
The  candidate  is  given  all  assistance  needed  to  insure  the  proper 
filling  out  of  these  papers. 

Algebra. — Candidates  will  be  required  to  pass  a  satisfactory 
examination  in  that  portion  of  algebra  which  includes  the  following 
range  of  subjects:  Definitions  and  notation;  the  fundamental 
laws;  the  fundamental  operations,  viz.:  Addition,  subtraction, 
multiplication,  and  division;  factoring;  highest  common  factor; 
lowest  common  multiple;  fractions,  simple  and  complex;  simple 
or  linear  equations  with  one  unknown  quantity;  simultaneous 
simple  or  linear  equations  with  two  or  more  unknown  quantities; 
graphical  representation  and  solution  of  linear  equations  with 
two  unknowns;  involution,  including  the  formation  of  the  squares 
and  cubes  of  polynomials;  binomial  theorem  with  positive  integral 
exponents;  evolution,  including  the  extraction  of  the  square  and 
cube  roots  of  polynomials  and  of  numbers;  theory  of  exponents, 


Appendix  319 

radicals,  including  reduction  and  fundamental  operations, 
rationalization,  equations  involving  radicals;  operations  with 
imaginary  numbers;  quadratic  equations;  equations  of  quadratic 
form;  simultaneous  quadratic  equations;  ratio  and  proportion; 
arithmetical  and  geometrical  progressions.  Candidates  will 
be  required  to  solve  problems  involving  any  of  the  principles  or 
methods  contained  in  the  foregoing  subjects. 

The  following  questions  were  used  at  a  recent  examination  : 
i  .     (a)     Simplify  [  (*  -y)  2  +6xy]  -  [(#2  +2xy)  -  \  x2  -  [2xy  - 


(6)     Factor  (i)  a'&9+64c6     (2)  x*-y2-2y-i     (3)  .r3-3.r2 
+4- 

2.  Solve     \l~^~t~5~     l~2~~  5=2.     Prove   that  your  answers 

are  correct.  _i        1 

3.  How  many  terms  will  there  be  in  the  expansion  of  (a1  °  +b*  x  s) 

by  the  binomial  formula? 

Write  the  6th  term  in  the  simplest  form.     What  other 

term  will  have  the  same  coefficient? 

Write  down  this  term  and  simplify  it. 

4.  A  number  of  workmen,  who  receive  the  same  wages,  earn 

together  a  certain  sum.  Had  there  been  7  more  workmen, 
and  had  each  one  received  25  cents  more,  their  joint  earn- 
ings would  have  increased  by  $18.65.  Had  there  been  4 
fewer  workmen,  and  had  each  one  received  15  cents  less,  their 
joint  earnings  would  have  decreased  by  $9.20.  How  many 
workmen  are  there,  and  how  much  does  each  one  receive? 

5.  (a)     Find  the  value  of  5x3+  2x2—  $x  —  i  when  x  =  i—  ]/  —  4 

(6)     Simplify 

6.  Two  trains  run  toward  each  other  from  A  and  B,  respectively, 

and  meet  at  a  point  which  is  15  miles  farther  from  A 
than  it  is  from  B.  After  the  trains  meet,  it  takes  the 
first  train  2§  hours  to  run  to  B,  and  the  second  3! 
hours  to  run  to  A.  How  far  is  it  from  A  to  B  ? 


7.    Solve 

a-\-b      a  —  b 


320  Appendix 

8.  (a)  Deduce  a  test  for  finding  when  the  roots  of  the  equation 
ax*+bx+c  =  o  are:  i°  real  and  unequal;  2°  real  and 
equal;  3°  imaginary;  4°  numerically  equal  with  contrary 
signs. 

(6)     Apply  the  tests  to  find  the  nature  of  the  roots  of  the 
equations 


2°5*2+6=o 

9.  Given  a  square  whose  side  is  2.  The  middle  points  of  its 
adjacent  sides  are  joined  by  straight  lines  forming  a  second 
square  inscribed  in  the  first.  In  the  same  manner,  a  third 
square  is  inscribed  in  the  second,  a  fourth  in  the  third,  and 
so  on  indefinitely.  Find  the  sum  of  the  perimeters  of  all 
the  squares. 

Substitute  for  any  of  the  above.  —  A  person  has  $6,500,  which  he 
divides  into  two  portions  and  lends  at  different  rates  of 
interest,  so  that  the  two  portions  produce  equal  returns. 
If  the  first  portion  had  been  lent  at  the  second  rate  of 
interest,  it  would  have  produced  $180;  and  if  the  second 
portion  had  been  lent  at  the  first  rate  of  interest,  it  would 
have  produced  $245.  Find  the  rates  of  interest. 

Plane  Geometry.  —  Candidates  will  be  required  to  give  accurate 
definitions  of  the  terms  used  in  plane  geometry,  to  demonstrate 
any  proposition  of  plane  geometry  as  given  in  the  ordinary  text- 
books and  to  solve  simple  geometrical  problems  either  by  a 
construction  or  by  an  application  of  algebra. 

The  following  questions  were  used  at  a  recent  examination  : 

1.  Theorem:     The  three  medians  of  any  triangle  intersect  in  a 

common  point  which  is  at  two-thirds  of  the  distance  from 
each  vertex  to  the  middle  of  the  opposite  side. 

2.  Theorem  :    If  two  triangles  have  their  three  sides  respectively 

equal,  the  triangles  are  equal  in  all  respects. 

3.  (a)     How  many  circles  can  be  drawn  tangent  to  three  given 

straight  lines?  (&)  Problem  :  To  draw  a  circle  through 
a  given  point  and  tangent  to  two  given  straight  lines. 

4.  Theorem:     If  two  parallel  right  lines  be  divided  into  cor- 

responding parts,  proportional  each  to  each,  and  straight 
lines  be  drawn  through  the  corresponding  points  of 
division,  these  straight  lines  will  pass  through  a  common 
point. 


Appendix  321 

5.  Exercise :     Find  the  locus  of  all  points,  the  sum  of  the  squares 

of  the  distances  of  any  one  of  which  from  two  fixed 
points  is  equal  to  a  given  square. 

6.  Problem:     Given  two  circles,  to  construct  a  third   circle 

equivalent  to  their  difference. 

7.  Exercise:     If  the  radius  of  a  circle  is  5,  find  the  area  of  the 

segment  subtended  by  the  side  of  a  regular  hexagon. 

8.  Theorem:     The  areas  of  two  triangles  which  have  an  angle 

of  the  one  equal  to  an  angle  of  the  other,  are  to  each 
other  as  the  products  of  the  sides  including  those  angles. 

9.  Problem :     Through  a  given  point  on  one  side  of  a  triangle  to 

draw  a  right  line  which  shall  divide  the  triangle  into  two 
equivalent  areas. 

Substitute  for  any  one  of  the  above. — (a)  Define  commensurable 
quantities;  incommensurable  quantities.  Give  example 
of  each,  (b)  Theorem:  In  the  same  circle  or  equal 
circles,  two  angles  at  the  centre  have  the  same  ratio 
as  their  intercepted  arcs  (whether  commensurable  or 
incommensurable) . 

English  Grammar. — Candidates  must  have  a  good  knowledge 
of  English  grammar;  they  must  be  able  to  define  the  terms  used 
therein;  to  define  the  parts  of  speech;  to  give  inflections,  including 
declension,  conjugation,  and  comparison;  to  give  the  correspond- 
ing masculine  and  feminine  gender  nouns;  to  give  and  apply  the 
ordinary  rules  of  syntax. 

They  must  be  able  to  parse  correctly  any  ordinary  sentence; 
giving  the  subject  of  each  verb,  the  governing  of  each  objective 
case,  the  word  for  which  each  pronoun  stands  or  to  which  it  refersf 
the  words  between  which  each  preposition  shows  the  relation, 
precisely  what  each  conjunction  and  each  relative  pronoun 
connects,  what  each  adjective  and  adverb  qualifies  or  limits,  the 
construction  of  each  infinitive,  and  generally  to  show  a  good 
knowledge  of  the  function  of  each  word  in  the  sentence. 

They  must  be  able  to  correct  in  sentences  or  extracts  any 
ordinary  grammatical  errors. 

It  is  not  required  that  any  particular  textbook  shall  be  followed ; 
but  the  definitions,  parsing,  and  corrections  must  be  in  accordance 
with  good  usage  and  common  sense. 

The  following  questions  indicate  the  character  of  the  exami- 
nation: 


322  Appendix 

1.  (a)     He  comes,  the  herald  of  a  noisy  world.     (6)  Next  anger 

rushed,  his  eyes  on  fire,  (c)  Get  on  your  nightgown, 
lest  occasion  call  us  and  show  us  to  be  watchers,  (d) 
Hark!  Hark!  the  lark  at  heaven's  gate  sings,  (e) 
Why  do  you  stay  so  long,  my  lords  of  France?  (/)  Go 
you  before  to  Gloucester  with  these  letters,  (g)  Society 
has  been  called  the  happiness  of  life,  (h)  The  guards- 
man defended  himself  bravely,  (i)  They  that  reverence 
too  much  old  times  are  but  a  scorn  to  the  new.  (j)  I 
will  bring  you  certain  news  from  Shrewsbury. 

In  the  above  sentences  pick  out  the  following  grammatical 
constructions.  (Indicate  the  number  of  the  sentence  and 
write  the  word  or  words  which  answer  the  question.) 

Imperative  mood.  Abstract  noun.  Transitive  verb.  Two 
relative  pronouns.  Noun  in  apposition.  Verb  in 
subjunctive  mood.  Adverb  of  manner.  Relative 
pronoun.  Indirect  object.  Interjection. 

2.  Write  a  simple  sentence  containing  a  compound  subject. 

Write  a  simple  sentence  containing  a  compound  predi- 
cate. Write  a  complex  sentence  containing  an  adjective 
clause.  Write  a  complex  sentence  containing  an 
adverbial  clause  of  manner.  Write  a  sentence  containing 
a  preposition  with  a  compound  object.  Write  a  sentence 
containing  an  adverb  clause  of  time.  Write  a  sentence 
containing  a  noun  (or  substitute)  clause  used  as  the 
subject  of  the  sentence.  Write  a  complex  sentence 
containing  an  adverb  clause  of  place.  Write  a  sentence 
containing  an  adjective  phrase,  and  an  adverb  phrase. 
Write  a  sentence  containing  a  verb  in  the  passive  voice. 

3.  Write  sentences  containing  the   following:     The   preterite 

(or  past)  tense  (active  voice)  of  the  verb  "choose." 
The  perfect  tense  (active  voice)  of  the  verb  "swim." 
The  pluperfect  (or  past  perfect)  tense  (active  voice)  of 
the  verb  "burst."  The  future  perfect  tense  (active 
voice)  of  the  verb  "eat."  The  perfect  tense  (active 
voice)  of  the  verb  "know."  The  present  participle  of 
the  verb  "lie."  The  perfect  infinite  of  the  verb  "study." 
The  perfect  participle  of  the  verb  ' '  knock. ' '  The  future 
tense,  passive  voice,  of  the  verb  "defeat."  The  future 
perfect  tense,  passive  voice,  of  the  verb  "pay." 


Appendix  323 

4.  In  the  passage  below,  indicate  the  gender  of  all  the  nouns 

and  pronouns   by  the  following   device:     Underscore 
once  those  that  are  masculine;  twice  those  that  are 
feminine;  thrice  all  those  that  are  neither. 
"The  bride  kissed  the  goblet,  the  knight  took  it  up. 
He  quaffed  off  the  wine,  and  he  threw  down  the  cup, 
She  looked  down  to  blush,  and  she  looked  up  to  sigh, 
With  a  smile  on  her  lips  and  a  tear  in  her  eye. 
He  took  her  soft  hand  ere  her  mother  could  bar, — 
'  Now  tread  we  a  measure ! '  said  young  Lochinvar. 
So  stately  her  form  and  so  lovely  her  face, 
That  never  a  hall  such  a  galliard  did  grace; 
While  her  mother  did  fret,  and  her  father  did  fume, 
And  the  bridegroom  stood  dangling  his  bonnet  and  plume; 
And  the  bride-maidens  whispered,  '  'Twere  better  by  far, 
To  have  matched  our  fair  cousin  with  young  Lochinvar.' " 

5.  Write  sentences  containing  the  following:    An  auxiliary  verb. 

The  comparative  of  "recent."  The  superlative  of 
"bad."  The  plural  of  "lily."  The  masculine  of 
"witch."  An  intransitive  verb.  A  collective  noun. 
The  comparative  of  "lazy."  The  plural  of  "shelf." 
The  plural  of  "ruby." 

6.  Parse  the  words  in  italics  in  the  folio  wing  sentences:     "Some 

soils,  like  the  rocky  tract  called  the  Estabrooke  Country 
in  my  neighbourhood,  is  so  suited  to  the  apple,  that  it 
will  grow  faster  in  them  without  any  care,  than  it  will  in 
many  places  with  any  amount  of  care." — Henry  D. 
Thoreau. 

7.  Correct  all  errors  in  the  following:     The  man  who  committed 

the  murder  was  hung.  Who  can  this  letter  be  from  ?  It 
is  me  that  he  fears.  The  red  rose  smells  sweetly,  but  the 
yellow  one  does  not  smell  so  good.  He  asked  if  either 
of  the  men  could  identify  their  own  clothing. 

8.  Punctuate  and  capitalize  the  following:  it  was  old  dr  parr 

who  said  or  sighed  in  his  last  illness  oh  if  i  can  onl}T  live 
till  strawberries  come  the  old  scholar  imagined  that  if 
he  could  weather  it  till  then  the  berries  would  carry  him 
through  no  doubt  he  had  turned  from  the  drugs  and 
the  nostrums  or  from  the  hateful  food  to  the  memory  of 


324 


Appendix 


the  pungent  penetrating  and  unspeakably  fresh  quality 
of  the  strawberry  with  the  deepest  longing  the  straw- 
berry is  always  the  hope  of  the  invalid  and  sometimes  no 
doubt  his  salvation  it  is  the  first  and  finest  relish  among 
the  fruits  and  well  merits  dr  botelers  memorable  saying 
that  doubtless  god  could  have  made  a  better  berry  but 
doubtless  god  never  did  John  burroughs. 

English  Composition  and  English  Literature. — Candidate  will 
be  required: 

1.  By  the  writing  of  short  themes  on  subjects  chosen  by  them- 
selves within  limits  set  by  the  examination  paper,  to  prove  (a) 
their  ability  to  spell,  capitalize,  and  punctuate,  and  (6)  their 
mastery  of  the  elementary  principles  of  composition,  including 
paragraphing  and  sentence  structure. 

2.  To  give  evidence  of  intelligent  acquaintance  with  three 
plays  of  Shakespeare — one  comedy,  one  history,  and  one  tragedy 
— The  Merchant  of  Venice,  Henry  V,  and   Macbeth  being   espe- 
cially recommended. 

3.  To  exhibit  a  fair  knowledge  of  the  history  of  English 
literature  and  of  the  names  of  the  most  prominent  authors,  and 
of  the  names  of  their  principal  works. 

The  general  character  and  scope  of  the  examination  are  indi- 
cated by  the  following: 

1.  In  a  few  paragraphs  (about  250  words)  tell  the  most  important 

facts  about  the  life  and  works  of  any  one  of  the  following 
authors:  Robert  Burns,  John  Alilton,  John  Keats, 
Edgar  Allan  Poe,  Alfred  Tennyson,  Charles  Dickens. 

2.  In  a  paragraph  (about  250  words)  discuss  the  Victorian  period 

in  English  literature,  paying  attention  to  the  following 
points:  (a)  the  characteristics  of  the  literature,  (b)  the 
chief  writers,  both  in  prose  and  poetry. 

3.  In  a  few  paragraphs  (about  250  words)  discuss  the  Puritan 

period  in  English  literature,  telling  what  is  meant  by  the 
term,  the  object  and  results  of  the  Puritan  movement, 
the  chief  writers  with  their  works,  and  the  main  charac- 
teristics of  the  literature. 

4.  Elective  question  (may  be  chosen  in  place  of  either  2  or  3). 

Write  a  few  paragraphs  (250  words)  on  the  characteristics 
and  importance  of  the  works  of  the  Concord  writers, 


Appendix  325 

Emerson,   Hawthorne,  and  Thoreau,  mentioning  the 
chief  works  of  each. 

5.  Write  two  compositions  of  about  200  words  each  selecting 
your  subjects  from  the  following  list:  (a)  The  story  of 
the  chase.  (Lady  of  the  Lake— Scott.)  (&)  Silas 
Marner's  Early  Life.  (Silas  Marner — George  Eliot.) 
(c)  The  Story  of  Jessica.  (Merchant  of  Venice — 
Shakespeare.)  (d)  The  Character  of  Brutus.  (Julius 
Caesar — Shakespeare.)  (e)  The  Story  of  Ida  and  the 
Prince.  (The  Princess — Tennyson.)  (/)  The  Trial  of 
Rebecca.  (Ivanhoe— Scott.)  (g)  The  Murder  of  Dun- 
can. (Macbeth — Shakespeare.)  (h)  Character  Sketch 
of  the  Ancient  Mariner.  (The  Ancient  Mariner — 
Coleridge.)  (t)  Threshing  Day  on  a  Western  Farm. 
(j)  The  Village  Drug  Store,  (k)  Along  the  Wharves  in 
a  Seaport  Town.  (/)  An  Irrigated  Farm,  (m)  A 
Cotton  Mill,  (n]  An  Accident. 

Geography. — Candidates  will  be  required  to  pass  a  satisfactory 
examination  in  descriptive  geography  and  the  elements  of  physical 
geography.  A  preponderance  of  weight  is  attached  to  a  knowledge 
of  the  geography  of  the  United  States. 

In  descriptive  geography  of  the  United  States,  candidates 
should  be  thoroughly  informed  as  to  its  general  features  and 
boundaries;  adjacent  oceans,  seas,  bays,  gulfs,  sounds,  straits,  and 
islands;  lakes,  the  location  and  extent  of  mountain  ranges;  the 
sources,  directions,  and  terminations  of  the  important  rivers, 
the  names  of  their  principal  tributaries,  and  at  what  points,  if 
any,  these  rivers  break  through  highlands  on  their  way  to  the 
ocean;  the  water  routes  of  communication  from  one  part  of  the 
country  to  another;  the  location  and  termination  of  important 
railroad  lines;  the  boundaries  of  the  several  States  and  Territories 
and  their  order  along  the  coasts,  frontiers,  and  principal  rivers; 
the  location  and  boundaries  of  the  island  possessions;  and  the 
names  and  locations  of  the  capitals  and  other  important  cities  of 
the  several  States,  Territories,  and  island  possessions. 

In  short,  the  knowledge  should  be  so  complete  that  a  clear 
mental  picture  of  the  whole  of  the  United  States  is  impressed  on 
the  mind  of  the  candidate. 

In  descriptive  geography  of  other  countries,  candidates  should 


326 


Appendix 


be  familiar  with  the  continental  areas  and  grand  divisions  of 
water;  the  earth's  surface;  the  large  bodies  of  water  which  in 
part  or  wholly  surround  the  grand  divisions  of  the  land;  the 
capes,  from  what  part  they  project  and_into  what  waters;  the 
principal  peninsulas,  location,  and  by  what  waters  embraced; 
the  parts  connected  by  an  isthmus;  the  principal  islands,  loca- 
tions, and  surrounding  waters;  the  seas,  gulfs,  and  bays,  the 
coasts  they  indent,  and  the  waters  to  which  they  are  subordinate ; 
the  straits,  the  lands  they  separate,  and  the  waters  they  con- 
nect ;  the  locations  of  the  principal  lakes,  the  locations,  bound- 
aries,, capitals  and  principal  cities  of  the  political  divisions  of  the 
world. 

In  physical  geography,  candidates  should  be  familiar  with  the 
relief  of  the  earth's  surface;  the  principal  mountain  systems,  the 
river  systems  and  watersheds;  the  coastal  and  lake  plains;  and  the 
influence  of  climate,  soil,  mineral  deposits,  and  other  physical 
features  on  the  resources,  industries,  commercial  relations,  and 
development  of  a  country  and  its  people,  especially  of  the  United 
States. 

The  following  questions  indicate  the  character  of  the  exami- 
nation: 

1.  Define,   (a)  Geography,  (&)  Physical  Geography,  (c)  strait, 

(d)  isthmus,  (e)  isotherm. 

2.  In  respect  of  climate,  into  what  zones  is  the  earth's  surface 

divided?     Name  the  circles  separating  these  zones  from 
one  another.     In  what  zone  are  the  Philippines? 

3.  (a)  What  and  where  is  the  International  Date  Line?     (&)  In 

going  from  San  Francisco  to  Manila  is  a  day  lost  or 
gained?     Give  reasons  for  answer. 

4.  How  many ' '  times ' '  has  the  United  States !    What  are  they  ? 

5.  What  waters  surround  the  United  States? 

6.  Is  it  possible  to  go  from  Duluth  to  Detroit  by  water?     If  so, 

what  bodies  of  water  would  be  passed  through? 

7.  Name  the  larger  islands  of  the    Philippines,  and  o£    the 

Hawaiian    Group,    respectively.     On    what    island    is 
Manila?     Honolulu?     Iloilo? 

8.  Name  two  great  coal  regions  of  the  United  States. 

9.  What  is  (a)  the  most  northern  State  of  the  United  States? 

(&)  the  most  southern?  (c)  the  most  eastern?  (d)  the  most 
western? 


Appendix  327 

10.  Which  of  the  United  States  has  the  longest  coast  line? 

11.  Where  is  the  Mohawk  Valley? 

12.  Bound — Michigan,  Kentucky,  Connecticut. 

13.  Locate  accurately  the  following  cities — El  Paso,  Albany, 

Zamboanga,  Panama,  San  Antonio,  Kalamazoo. 

14.  Name  the  transcontinental  railways  west  of  the  Mississippi 

in  order  from  north  to  south. 

15.  Name  the  countries  of  Central  America.     Which  one  of 

these  borders  on  Mexico? 

1 6.  Name  in  order,  beginning  at  the  Isthmus  of  Panama,  the 

countries  of  South  America  that  touch  on  the  Caribbean 
Sea  and  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 

17.  The  meridian   through   Atlanta,  Georgia,  intersects   what 

South  American  Republics?     Is  the  continent  of  South 
America,  as  a  whole,  east  or  west  of  the  United  States? 

1 8.  What  two  countries  of  South  America  have  no  sea  coast? 

19.  A  vessel  goes  from  London,  England,  to  San  Francisco  by  the 

Suez  Canal.     Through  what  waters  does  it  pass? 

20.  What  waters  connect  the  Black  Sea  with  the  Mediterranean? 

The  Gulf  of  Aden  with  the  Red  Sea? 

2 1 .  Where  does  the  Danube  rise?  through  what  countries  does  it 

flow?  and  where  does  it  empty? 

22.  What  three  rivers  flow  north  into  the  Arctic  from  Siberia? 

23.  What  mountains  lie  between  France  and  Spain?    Between 

Tibet  and  India? 

24.  Name  in  order  in  a  clockwise  direction  the  countries  border- 

ing on  the  Mediterranean. 

25.  Where    is — Mount    Shasta,     Popocatepetl,     Chimborazo, 

Everest,  Apo,  Fujiyama,  Blanc,  Mayon. 

26.  Where  and  what  is — Mukden,  Valdivostok,  Liberia,  Melilla, 

The  Celebes. 

27.— Locate— Elba,  Saint  Thomas,  Cape  Race,  Hankow,  For- 
mosa, Bonin  Islands,  Juraez,  Zanzibar,  Colon,  Volga 
River,  Elbe  River,  Cebu,  Seville,  Andalusia,  Zaragoza, 
Macedonia,  Nepaul,  Bogota,  Beirut,  Malta,  Macao, 
Dublin. 

28.  Name  the  capitals  respectively  of — Afghanistan,  Portugal, 
Nebraska,  Vermont,  French  Indo-China,  Philippine 
Islands,  Montenegro,  Georgia,  Oregon,  Roumania,  Persia, 
Florida,  Java. 


328 


Appendix 


History. — Candidates  must  be  thoroughly  familiar  with  such 
material  as  is  contained  in  good  high  school  textbooks  on  the 
subject  (a)  of  the  History  of  the  United  States,  and  (6)  of  the 
History  of  Europe  from  the  Fall  of  Constantinople  (1453)  to  the 
outbreak  of  the  French  Revolution  (1789). 

In  nistory  of  the  United  States,  the  examination  will  include 
questions  concerning  early  discoveries  and  settlements ;  the  forms 
of  government  in  the  Colonies;  the  causes,  leading  events,  and 
results  of  wars;  important  events  in  the  political  and  economic 
history  of  the  Nation  since  its  foundation. 

In  history  of  Europe  from  1453  to  1789,  special  emphasis  will 
be  laid  upon  the  political  and  social  development  in  France, 
Prussia,  and  England. 

The  following  questions  indicate  the  character  of  the  exami- 
nation: 

European  History  (1453-1789). 

1.  Describe  political  conditions  during  the  latter  half  of  the 

fifteenth  century  in  what  is  now  Germany. 

2.  What  countries  were  ruled  by  Charles  V  of  Spain  at  the 

height  of  his  power? 

3.  Why  was  Luther  summoned  to  the  Diet  of  Worms?    What 

was  done  at  this  Diet? 

4.  Who  was  Melanchthon?     What  was  the  Religious  Peace  of 

Augsburg?     What  was  its  importance? 

5.  What  was  the  Council  of  Trent?     Over  how  long  a  period 

did  its  meetings  extend?  What  were  the  important 
acts  of  this  Council? 

6.  What  ruler  was  instrumental  in  separating  England  from 

Roman  Catholic  influence?  How  was  this  separation 
accomplished  ?  Describe  two  acts  of  Parliament  important 
in  this  connection. 

7.  Outline  the  causes  of  Elizabeth's  quarrel  with  Mary  Queen 

of  Scots.     State  its  political  importance  and  its  results. 

8.  Under  what  circumstances  during  Elizabeth's  reign   did 

England  come  into  conflict  with  Spain?  What  event 
marked  the  crisis  of  this  conflict? 

9.  State  the  nature,  causes,  dates,  and  leaders  of  the  Puritan 

Reformation. 


Appendix  329 

10.  Describe  the  important  acts  of  Parliament  passed  in  the 
reign  of  Charles  II  to  regulate  the  religious  situation. 

u.  Describe  the  court  and  court  life  in  France  in  the  time  of 
Louis  XIV.  Name  five  prominent  men  connected  with 
Louis  XIV's  court. 

12.  What  part  did  Gustavus  Adolphus  and  Richelieu  play  in  the 

Thirty  Years'  War?  How  may  we  reconcile  Richelieu's 
political  acts  with  his  religious  convictions? 

13.  What  nations  were  engaged  in  the  War  of  the  Spanish 

Succession?  What  issues  were  at  stake?  What  were 
the  important  provisions  of  the  Peace  of  Utrecht  (1713)? 

14.  What  was  the  revolution  of  1688  in  England?     How  was  it 

accomplished? 

15.  What  is  meant  by  the  cabinet  system  of  government? 
Account  for  the  advance  of  cabinet  government  in  the 

reigns  of  George  I  and  George  II. 

1 6.  For  what  qualities  and  what  acts  was  the  Great  Elector 

(Frederick  William  of  Prussia)  noted? 

17.  State  the  cause  and  the  result  of  the  first  war  between 

Frederick  the  Great  and  Maria  Theresa.  Name  two  fam- 
ous battles  of  the  Seven  Years'  War  in  which  Frederick 
the  Great  was  victorious. 

1 8.  State  the  results  of  the  Seven  Years'  War  for  France  accord- 

ing to  the  provisions  of  the  Treaty  of  Paris  (1763). 

19.  Why  were  Frederick  the  Great,  Catherine  II    of  Russia, 

and  Joseph  II  of  Austria  called  "enlightened  despots"? 
Describe  the  work  of  any  one  of  these  rulers. 

20.  Outline  two  of  the  fundamental  causes  for  the  unrest  in 

France  during  the  early  years  of  the  reign  of  Louis  XVI. 

1.  State  concisely  the  achievements  of — (a)  De  Narvaez;  (&) 

De  Soto;  (c)  Hudson;  (J)  La  Salle. 

2.  (o)  Where   and   when   was   the   first   permanent   English 

settlement  in  America  made?  (b)  What  arrangement 
was  made  for  the  government  of  this  settlement? 

3.  (a)  When  and  where  did  the  first  colonial  assembly  in 

America  meet?  (6)  What  was  Bacon's  Rebellion?  (c) 
When  and  where  was  the  first  permanent  English  settle- 
ment in  New  England  established? 

4.  (a)  What   brought   the   first   settlers   to   Maryland?     (b) 

Who  was  their  leader? 


33°  Appendix 

5.  (a)  What  was  the  immediate  cause  of  the  Revolutionary 

War?  (6)  What  were  "writs  of  assistance"?  (c)  What 
was  the  "Mutiny  Act"? 

6.  (a)  When  and  where  did  the  first  Continental  Congress 

meet?  (6)  What  was  accomplished  by  this  Congress? 
(c)  Name  the  original  thirteen  colonies. 

7.  (a)  Who  were  the  principal  leaders  in  the  two  battles  of 

Saratoga?  (&)  What  were  the  effects  on  the  American 
people  of  these  battles?  (c)  What  was  the  Wyoming 
Massacre? 

8.  (a)  What  European  country  was  the  first  to  acknowledge 

the  American  independence?  (6)  In  what  ways  did  this 
country  aid  in  bringing  the  Revolutionary  War  to  a 
successful  close? 

9.  State  the  significance  of  the  following  in  United  States 

history:  (a)  Shays'  Rebellion;  (6)  Steuben;  (c)  Alien 
and  sedition  laws;  (d)  Kosciusko. 

10.  (a)  What  were  the  causes  of  the  war  with  England  in  1812? 

(6)  What  treaty  ended  this  struggle?  (c)  Wlio  was 
President  of  the  United  States  during  this  war? 

11.  By  what  means,  from  whom,  and  during  whose  Presidency 

were  the  following  territories  obtained  for  the  United 
States?  (a)  Louisiana,  (&)  Florida,  (c)  Alaska. 

12.  (a)  What  was  the  "Spoils  System"?     (6)  What  was  the 

Nullification  ordinance  passed  by  South  Carolina  in  1832? 

13.  Discuss  briefly  the  nature  and  importance  of  the  following: 

(a)  The  Wilmot  Proviso.  (&)  The  Dred  Scott  Decision. 
(c)  The  Fugitive  Slave  Law. 

14.  Name  the  commanders  and  the  results  of  the  following  bat- 

tles: (a)  Vicksburg,  (6)  Fredericksburg,  (c)  Cold  Harbor. 

15.  Name  the  Presidents  of  the  United  States  who  have  had  a 

second  term  of  office. 

1 6.  (a)  What  various  causes  underlay  the  declaration  of  war 

against  Spain?  (6)  What  important  battles  on  land  and 
sea  were  fought  during  the  Spanish-American  War? 
(c)  What  treaty  ended  this  war  and  what  territory  was 
ceded  to  the  United  States  as  a  result  of  it? 

PHYSICAL  EXAMINATION 

All  cadets  are  examined  physically  in  May  of  each  year,  and 


Appendix  331 

those  found  physically  disqualified  to  continue  with  the  course,  or, 
in  case  of  the  first  class,  for  commission  in  the  Army,  are  dis- 
charged. 

VACATIONS  AND  LEAVES  OF  ABSENCE 

Academic  duties  are  suspended  from  the  completion  of  the  June 
examinations  until  the  end  of  August.  During  this  period  cadets 
live  in  camp  and  are  engaged  in  military  duties  and  exercises  and 
in  receiving  practical  instruction  in  military  and  other  subjects. 
Academic  duties  are  also  suspended  from  December  24th  until 
January  2d,  except  for  those  undergoing  examination.  All  duties 
and  exercises,  as  far  as  practicable,  are  suspended  on  New  Year's 
Day,  February  22d,  May  30th,  July  4th,  Thanksgiving  Day,  and 
Christmas  Day. 

Cadets  of  the  first,  second,  and  third  classes  not  undergoing 
examination  are  allowed  short  leaves  at  Christmas,  if  their  conduct 
during  the  preceding  year  has  been  satisfactory.  Excepting 
these  short  leaves  for  good  conduct,  cadets  are  allowed  but  one 
leave  of  absence  during  the  four  years'  course.  This  leave  is 
granted  to  those  cadets  who  have  successfully  completed  the 
third-class  course  of  study,  and  extends  from  the  middle  of  June 
to  the  28th  of  August. 

PAY  OF  CADETS 

The  pay  of  a  cadet  is  $600  per  year  and  one  ration  per  day,  or 
commutation  therefor  at  30  cents  per  day.  The  total  is  $746.00 
to  commence  with  his  admission  to  the  academy.  The  actual 
and  necessary  traveling  expenses  of  candidates  from  their  homes 
to  the  Military  Academy  are  credited  to  their  accounts  after  their 
admission  as  cadets. 

No  cadet  is  permitted  to  receive  money,  or  any  other  supplies, 
from  his  parents,  or  from  any  person  whomsoever,  without  the 
sanction  of  the  Superintendent.  A  most  rigid  observance  of  this 
regulation  is  urged  upon  all  parents  and  guardians,  as  its  viola- 
tion would  make  distinctions  between  cadets  which  it  is  the 
especial  desire  to  avoid;  the  pay  of  a  cadet  is  sufficient  for  his 
support. 

Candidates  are  authorized  to  bring  with  them  the  following 


332  Appendix 

articles:  Hairbrush,  nailbrush,  toothbrush,  shoebrush,  comb,  8 
drawers  (summer),  12  handkerchiefs  (white),  4  nightshirts  or 
pajamas,  8  socks  (black  cotton),  6  bath  towels,  6  face  towels,  i 
trunk,  8  undershirts  (summer),  whisk  broom,  shaving  mug, 
winter  underwear,  and  athletic  uniforms,  shoes,  and  goods. 

Cadets  are  required  to  wear  the  prescribed  uniform.  All 
articles  of  their  uniform  are  of  a  designated  pattern,  and  are 
sold  to  cadets  at  West  Point  at  regulated  prices. 

DEPOSIT  PRIOR  TO  ADMISSION 

Immediately  after  admission  candidates  must  be  provided 
with  an  outfit  of  uniform,  etc.,  the  cost  of  which  is  about  $160. 
This  sum,  or  at  least  $100  thereof,  must  be  deposited  with  the 
treasurer  of  the  academy  before  the  candidate  is  admitted.  It  is 
best  for  the  candidate  to  take  with  him  no  more  money  than  he 
needs  for  traveling  expenses  and  for  his  parents  to  send  the 
required  deposit  by  draft,  payable  to  the  Treasurer,  United  States 
Military  Academy.  The  deposit  is  credited  at  once  to  the 
cadet's  account.  Upon  graduation  a  cadet  who  has  exercised 
proper  economy  will  have  sufficient  money  to  his  credit  with  the 
treasurer  of  *he  academy  to  purchase  his  uniform  and  equipment 
as  an  officer. ' 

PROMOTION  AFTER  GRADUATION 

The  attention  of  applicants  and  candidates  is  called  to  the 
following  provisions  of  an  Act  of  Congress  approved  May  17, 
1886,  to  regulate  the  promotion  of  graduates  of  the  United  States 
Military  Academy: 

That  when  any  cadet  of  the  United  States  Military  Academy 
has  gone  through  all  its  classes  and  received  a  regular  diploma 
from  the  academic  staff,  he  may  be  promoted  and  commissioned 
as  a  second  lieutenant  in  any  arm  or  corps  of  the  Army  in  which 
there  may  be  a  vacancy  and  the  duties  of  which  he  may  have 
been  judged  competent  to  perform;  and  in  case  there  shall  not 
at  the  time  be  a  vacancy  in  such  arm  or  corps  he  may,  at  the 
discretion  of  the  President,  be  promoted  and  commissioned  in  it 
as  an  additional  second  lieutenant,  with  the  usual  pay  and 
allowances  of  a  second  lieutenant,  until  a  vacancy  shall  happen. 


Appendix  333 

ACADEMIC  DUTIES 

There  are  two  terms  of  academic  instruction:  September  i- 
December  23,  and  January  2-June  4.  A  semiannual  examination 
is  held  December  26-31,  and  an  annual  examination  June  5-12. 
At  the  December  examination  cadets,  who  are  found  to  be  pro- 
ficient in  subjects  they  have  completed  during  the  preceding 
term  are  arranged  according  to  merit  in  each  subject.  At  the 
June  examination  they  are  similarly  arranged  and  they  are  also 
assigned  general  standing  in  the  class  as  determined  by  their 
standings  in  the  various  subjects.  When  a  subject  of  study  is 
completed  during  a  term  an  examination  concluding  the  work  in 
that  subject  is  sometimes  held.  Cadets  deficient  in  studies  at 
any  examination  are  discharged  from  the  academy  unless  for 
special  reasons  the  academic  board  recommends  otherwise. 
Cadets  exceeding  at  any  time  the  maximum  number  of  demerits 
allowed  for  six  months  are  reported  to  the  academic  board  as 
deficient  in  conduct. 

THE  ACADEMIC  CALENDAR 

First  term,  September  I -December  23.  4^ 

Second  term,  January  2-June  4. 
Semiannual  examination,  December  26-31. 
Annual  examination,  June  5-12. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  TACTICS 

ALL  CLASSES 

New  cadets,  upon  reporting  for  duty,  are  given  infantry  recruit 
instruction,  with  gymnastic  and  calisthenic  exercises,  until  they 
join  the  battalion. 

Practical  instruction  is  given  during  the  summer  encampment, 
and  from  September  ist  to  November  ist,  and  from  March  I5th 
to  June  1st,  in  infantry,  artillery  and  cavalry  drill  regulations, 
in  target  practice  with  the  rifle,  revolver,  mountain  gun  and  field 
gun,  and  in  military  engineering. 

During  the  summer  encampment,  cadets  of  the  third  and  fourth 
glasses  are  also  taught  swimming  and  dancing,  and  those  of  the 


334  Appendix 

first  class,  the  service  of  seacoast  artillery  and  submarine  defense 
at  fortifications.  The  first,  third,  and  fourth  classes  participate  in 
exercises  in  minor  tactics,  practice  marches,  problems  and  practi- 
cal field  work,  in  which  the  employment  of  all  arms  is  exemplified. 

Practical  instruction  in  fencing  and  gymnastic  exercises  and  in 
boxing  and  wrestling  is  given  to  the  fourth  class  from  October 
ist  to  June  ist,  and  to  the  other  classes  from  November  ist  to 
March  I5th. 

Instruction  in  riding  is  given  to  the  first  class  during  the 
encampment  and  from  September  ist  to  June  ist,  excepting  the 
month  of  February;  to  the  second  and  third  classes,  from  Novem- 
ber ist  to  March  I5th  and  also  to  the  third  class  during  the  sum- 
mer encampment.  Instruction  with  English  pad  saddles  is  given 
to  the  first  class,  and  in  polo  to  the  first  and  second  classes. 

During  the  academic  season  recitations  in  hippology  are  held 
for  the  first  class  and  in  drill  regulations  for  the  second,  third, 
and  fourth  classes.  Instruction  is  also  given  in  writing  orders 
and  in  solving  problems  involving  the  disposition  of  small  forces. 

Previous  to  graduation,  lectures  are  given  the  first  class  upon 
uniforms  and  equipments,  and  upon  etiquette  and  customs  of 
the  service. 

TEXTBOOKS 

Infantry  Drill  Regulations,  U.  S.  Army. 

Field  Artillery  Regulations,  U.  S.  Army. 

Mountain  Artillery  Drill  Regulations,  U.  S.  Army. 

Cavalry  Drill  Regulations,  U.  S.  Army. 

Elements  of  Hippology.     Marshall. 

Coast  Artillery  Drill  Regulations,  U.  S.  Army. 

BOOKS  OF  REFERENCE 

U.  S.  Army  Regulations. 
Field  Service  Regulations,  U.  S.  Army. 
Small  Arms  Firing  Manual,  U.  S.  Army. 
Drill  Regulations  for  Machine  Gun,  Infantry. 
Drill  Regulations  for  Machine  Gun,  Cavalry. 
Manual  of  Interior  Guard  Duty,  U.  S.  Army. 
Manual  of  Physical  Training,  U.  S.  Army. 


Appendix  335 

Regulations  for  Field  Maneuvers,  U.  S.  Army. 
Manual  of  Instruction  for  Pack  Transportation. 
Regulations,  U.  S.  M.  A. 

ISSUED  TO  FIRST   CLASS    BEFORE   GRADUATION 

U.  S.  Army  Regulations. 

Regulations  for  the  Uniform  of  the  U.  S.  Army. 

Manual  of  Courts-Martial,  U.  S.  A. 

Army  Register,  U.  S. 

Engineer  Field  Manual. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  CIVIL  AND  MILITARY  ENGINEERING 

FIRST  CLASS 

The  course  in  civil  and  military  engineering  and  the  art  of  war 
is  confined  to  the  first-class  year. 

The  course  in  civil  engineering  begins  September  ist  and  is 
completed  during  the  first  term,  which  closes  with  the  Christmas 
holidays.  It  comprises  brief  treatises  on  the  mechanics  of  civil 
engineering,  framed  and  masonry  structures,  the  materials  of 
engineering,  water  supply,  and  sewerage. 

The  course  in  military  engineering  and  the  art  of  war  begins 
on  January  2nd  and  closes  on  the  3rd  of  June.  Military  engineer- 
ing embraces  the  study  of  field  and  permanent  fortifications  and 
siege  works.  The  art  of  war  embraces  the  study  of  the  organiza- 
tion of  armies,  employment  of  the  different  arms  in  combination, 
logistics,  and  strategy.  To  familiarize  the  students  with  its 
principles,  lectures  are  delivered  on  military  subjects  and  the 
principal  operations  of  about  twenty  selected  campaigns  are 
studied.  During  this  course  the  students  are  taken  to  the 
battlefield  of  Gettysburg  to  familiarize  them  with  the  effects  of 
topography  on  the  employment  of  troops  in  the  field. 

TEXTBOOKS 

Civil  Engineering.     Fiebeger. 
Field  Fortifications.     Fiebeger. 
Permanent  Fortifications.     Fiebeger. 


336  Appendix 

Elements  of  Strategy.     Fiebeger. 
Army  Organization.     Fiebeger. 
Siege  Works.     Mercur. 
Field  Service  Regulations,  U.  S. 
Campaign  of  Gettysburg.     Fiebeger. 

BOOKS  OF  REFERENCE 

Campaigns  and  Battles.     Department. 

Story  of  the  Civil  War.     Ropes.     Cambria  Steel. 

The  department  has  a  well  selected  reference  library  on  civil 
engineering,  military  engineering,  and  the  art  of  war. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  NATURAL  AND  EXPERIMENTAL 
PHILOSOPHY 

SECOND   CLASS 

The  course  in  natural  and  experimental  philosophy  begins 
with  and  continues  throughout  the  third  academic  year.  Mechan- 
ics is  studied  during  the  first  term.  The  text  used  is  Gordon's 
Mechanics.  Many  of  the  principles  are  illustrated  by  apparatus 
in  the  lecture  and  section  rooms,  and  the  students  are  required 
to  repeat  and  explain  these  experiments.  The  course  aims  to  be 
as  complete  as  possible  with  the  limitation  that  it  can  be  properly 
covered  in  a  term  of  about  90  to  100  days  by  students  having  a 
proficient  knowledge  of  the  calculus;  the  treatment  is  sufficiently 
mathematical  to  furnish  a  confident  basis  for  advanced  work 
in  the  technical  staff  after  graduation. 

During  the  second  term  about  120  lessons  are  allotted  to  this 
department.  The  first  half  of  this  time  is  devoted  to  the  subjects 
of  sound  and  light.  The  authorized  textbook  is  Gordon's  Sound 
and  Light. 

Astronomy  is  studied  in  the  remainder  of  the  second  term.  The 
text  used  are  Young's  General  Astronomy  and  Michie  and  Harlow's 
Practical  Astronomy.  The  principal  aim  of  this  course,  in  addi- 
tion to  its  important  value  in  educational  development,  is  to 
furnish  an  ample  basis  for  the  establishment  of  stations  in  explo- 
rations and  surveys. 

The  class  attends  daily  throughout  the  year,  except  eight  days, 
during  which  half  the  class  attends  daily. 


Appendix  337 


TEXTBOOKS 


Sound  and  Light.     Gordon.       General  Astronomy.        Young. 
Mechanics.     Gordon.  Practical   Astronomy.      Michie 

and  Harlow. 

Numerous  standard  works  on  the  general  subjects  covered 
by  the  course  are  available  for  reference. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  MATHEMATICS 

THIRD   AND   FOURTH   CLASSES 

The  course  in  mathematics  begins  with  the  fourth-class  year 
and  continues  through  the  third-class  year. 

In  the  fourth-class  year,  algebra  is  completed  in  alternation; 
first  with  geometry,  then  with  trigonometry.  Plane  analytical 
geometry  is  begun. 

In  the  third-class  year,  plane  and  solid  analytical  geometry 
and  descriptive  geometry  are  completed  in  alternation.  The 
calculus  and  least  squares  finish  the  course. 

The  course  in  algebra  covers  the  entire  subject  as  generally 
taught  in  colleges,  but  the  student  is  expected  to  have  already 
mastered  elementary  algebra  to  include  the  progressions  and 
the  solution  of  the  quadratic  equation.  The  course  in  elementary 
geometry  includes  the  books  that  relate  to  the  plane  and  those 
that  relate  to  space,  but  the  student  is  expected  to  have  mastered 
the  former.  Plane  and  spherical  trigonometry  includes  the 
complete  solution  of  the  plane  and  spherical  triangles.  The 
course  in  analytical  geometry  includes  the  discussion  of  the 
general  equation  of  the  second  degree  in  the  plane  and  the  particu- 
lar forms  of  the  equation  of  the  second  degree  in  space. 

Descriptive  geometry  includes  the  orthographic  projections 
of  the  right  line,  the  plane,  ruled  surfaces  and  surfaces  of  revolu- 
tion, tangent  planes  and  intersections  of  surfaces.  It  also  takes 
the  subjects  of  shades  and  shadows,  perspective,  isometric  pro- 
jections and  spherical  projections. 

The  course  in  differential  and  integral  calculus  covers  the 
ground  of  the  usual  college  textbook,  including  briefly  the  subject 
of  ordinary  differential  equations. 

TEXTBOOKS 

Elements  of  Geometry.     Phillips  and  Fisher. 


338  Appendix 

Advanced  Course  in  Algebra.    Wells. 

Quadratics  and  Beyond.     Fisher  and  Schwatt. 

Elements  of  Plane  and  Spherical  Trigonometry.     Crockett. 

Logarithmic  Tables.    Newcomb. 

Conic  Sections,  Coordinate  Geometry.     C.  Smith. 

Coordinate  Geometry.     Fine  and  Thompson. 

Elements  of  Analytical  Geometry  (Solid).     Smith  and  Gale. 

Descriptive  Geometry.     Church. 

Linear  Perspective.     Pillsbury. 

Differential  and  Integral  Calculus.     Granville. 

Integral  Calculus.     D.  A.  Murray. 

Differential  Equations.     D.  A.  Murray. 

Method  of  Least  Squares.    Johnson. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  CHEMISTRY,  MINERALOGY  AND 
GEOLOGY 

SECOND  CLASS 

This  department  embraces  two  branches  of  physics  not  included 
in  its  title,  namely  heat  and  electricity. 

The  course  begins  September  1st  of  the  third  academic  year  and 
extends  throughout  this  year;  exercises,  recitations,  laboratory 
work  or  lectures  take  place  on  all  week  days. 

Commencing  September  ist,  general  chemistry,  alternating  with 
lessons  in  heat,  occupy  the  time  until  the  close  of  the  term  in 
December,  recitations  or  other  exercises  being  had  daily. 

During  this  term  all  members  of  the  class  whose  progress,  as 
shown  by  their  recitations,  warrants  it,  are  given  laboratory 
practice  in  chemistry.  This  pratice  begins  with  chemical  manipu- 
lations and  proceeds  in  the  usual  general  order  of  elementary 
laboratory  work.  The  laboratory  exercises  are  one  hour  and 
fifty  minutes  long.  It  is  generally  possible  to  give  all  parts  of 
the  class  some  laboratory  experience;  the  amount  of  this  work, 
however,  varies  with  the  aptitude  of  the  student  from  a  few  hours 
to  forty-five  or  fifty  hours. 

This  term  closes  with  an  examination  upon  the  essential  parts 
of  the  entire  course,  which  all  cadets  who  have  not  shown  a  re- 
quired proficiency  in  daily  work  must  take. 

In  chemistry  the  course  is  a  descriptive  general  one,  based  upon 


Appendix  339 

a  concise  statement  of  the  more  essential  principles  of  chemistry, 
and  includes  that  class  of  information  deemed  most  important  to 
non-specialists,  together  with  an  accurate  and  logical  treatment 
of  many  useful  applications  of  chemistry. 

The  course  in  heat  is  short,  but  it  is  a  comprehensive  elementary 
course  intended  to  embrace  what  is  most  applicable  to  subsequent 
work  at  the  academy  and  what  is  most  useful  in  general  education. 

Beginning  January  2d  the  daily  exercises  alternate  between 
geology,  mineralogy,  and  electricity.  This  term  also  closes  with 
an  examination,  covering  the  essential  parts  of  the  subjects 
studied  during  the  term,  which  all  cadets  who  have  not  shown  a 
required  proficiency  in  daily  work  must  take. 

The  course  in  geology  is  a  brief  but  scientific  oresentation  of  the 
essential  elements  of  this  branch  of  science. 

The  mineralogy  is  an  eminently  practical  course  consisting 
of  the  descriptive  study  and  the  practical  determination  of  the 
important  minerals.  The  lithological  and  palaeontological  part 
of  geology  is  accompanied  in  study  by  the  continued  practical 
examination  of  the  objects  described. 

The  course  in  electricity  is  a  brief  exposition  of  the  leading 
electrical  phenomena  and  their  relations  to  each  other.  It 
includes  a  study  of  the  general  principles  of  the  subject  and  of  the 
typical  machines,  generators,  motors  and  transformers,  together 
with  the  more  important  uses  of  electricity.  The  laboratory 
exercises  give  experience  with  a  number  of  the  machines  and  in 
the  use  of  a  great  variety  of  apparatus  employed  in  the  numerous 
forms  of  electric  measurements.  In  this  term  the  laboratory 
work  is  a  part  of  the  electrical  course  and  all  cadets  enter  the 
laboratory.  All  laboratory  work  is  performed  under  the  im- 
mediate supervision  of  an  instructor. 

TEXTBOOKS 

Elementary  Lessons  in  Heat.     Tillman. 
Descriptive  General  Chemistry.     Tillman. 
Practical  Chemistry.     (Laboratory  Guide.)     Clowes. 
Elements  of  Geology.     Le  Conte. 
Important  Minerals  and  Rocks.     Tillman. 
Elements  of  Electricity.     Robinson. 

During  all  terms  standard  works  on  the  respective  subjects 
are  available  for  reference  both  to  cadets  and  instructors. 


340 


Appendix 


DEPARTMENT  OF  DRAWING 

THIRD   AND   SECOND   CLASSES 

The  course  in  drawing  extends  through  the  third-  and  second- 
class  years,  attendance  on  alternate  afternoons  for  a  period  of 
two  hours  during  the  full  academic  year. 

The  order  of  instruction  is  as  follows: 


Second  Class  Year 

1.  Elementary    problems    in 

third  angle  projection. 

2.  Machine    drawing,     third 

angle  projection. 

3.  Assembly     and      working 

drawings  from  models. 

4.  Topographical     sketching 

and  drawing. 


Third  Class  Year 

1.  Use    of    drawing    instru- 

ments. 

2.  Problems    in    plane    geo- 

metry. 

3.  Problems     in     descriptive 

geometry. 

4.  Lettering.     Exercises      in 

this     subject     continue 
throughout  the  course. 

5.  Building  construction 

drawing. 

6.  Isometric  and  oblique  pro- 

jection. 


Instruction  is  mainly  through  a  loose-leaf  system  of  printed 
instruction  sheets  covering  the  various  drawings  and  phases 
of  the  work.  These  are  supplemented  by  short  section-room 
lectures  and  blackboard  illustrations  when  necessary.  Personal 
instruction  is  given  when  needed. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  MODERN  LANGUAGES 

THIRD,   SECOND,   AND  FIRST  CLASSES 

The  course  in  modern  languages  comprises  instruction  in 
French  and  in  Spanish. 

FRENCH 

THIRD    CLASS 

Instruction  is  given  in  reading,  in  composition,  and  in  con  versa 


Appendix  341 

tion.     The  course  opens  September   ist,   and  continues  until 
June  4th,  some  219  lessons  in  all. 

SPANISH 

SECOND  AND  FIRST  CLASSES 

Instruction  is  given  in  reading,  in  composition,  and  in  conver- 
sation, to  which  special  attention  is  paid. 

The  course  opens  October  4th,  of  the  second-class  year  and 
closes  June  4th  of  the  first-class  year,  176  lessons  all  told. 

The  present  textbooks  are: 

THIRD  CLASS 

French: — Martin's  French  Verbs. 

Grammar.     Essentials  of  French,  Frangois. 
Elements  of  French  Pronunciation,  Jacobs.      Bercy's 

La  Langue  Frangaise. 
Introductory    French    Prose    Composition,    Frangois. 

Me*rimeVs  Colomba. 
About 's  Roi  des  Montagnes. 
Marchand's  French  Idioms.     L'lllustration.     Lecture 

pour  Tous. 

Labiche  and  Martin's  Voyage  de  M.  Perrichon. 
Daudet's  Lettres  de  Mon  Moulin. 
Rostand's  Cyrano  de  Bergerac. 
Pattou's  Causeries  en  France. 

French  Conversation  Exercises.     Military  Reading. 
Dupont's  En  Campagne. 

SECOND  ANE   FIRST   CLASS 

Spanish: — Spanish  Grammar,  Olmsted  and  Gordon.     A  Spanish 

Reader,  Bramby. 
Crawford's  Spanish  Composition. 
A  Trip  to  South  America — Waxman. 
Por  Esos  Mundos,  monthly,  published  in  Madrid. 
"ABC,"  Spanish  Daily  Newspaper. 
Spanish   Conversation  and   Idioms,    Department  of 

Modern  Languages,  U.  S.  M.  A. 
Scientific  and  Technical  Spanish  Reader,  Willcox. 
Lecturas  Modernas — Charles  Alfred  Downer. 

BOOKS  OF  REFERENCE 

French: — Cassell's  French  Dictionary. 

Military  Technical  Dictionary.     Willcox. 


342  Appendix 


Spanish: — New  Spanish-English  and  English-Spanish  Dictionary, 
by  Cuyas.    Appleton. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  LAW 

FIRST  CLASS 

The  course  in  law,  which  is  carried  throughout  the  entire  first- 
class  year,  embraces  the  following  subjects: 
I.     Elementary  Law.  2.     Constitutional  Law. 

3.     International  Law.  4.     Military  Law. 

5.     The  Law  of  War. 

The  quiz  method  of  instruction  is  employed  in  the  section 
room.  The  authorized  textbooks  are  supplemented  from  time 
to  time  by  means  of  lectures,  and  important  principles  are  em- 
phasized by  requiring  an  examination  and  analysis  of  a  consider- 
able number  of  leading  cases.  Some  time  is  also  devoted  to 
library  work,  with  a  view  to  familiarizing  students  with  the  use  of 
a  law  library  in  the  solution  of  practical  questions.  The  purpose 
in  view  in  the  course  is  to  give  the  student  an  elementary  know- 
ledge of  the  fundamental  principles  of  law,  with  special  emphasis 
upon  those  subjects  a  knowledge  of  which  is  essential  to  the 
proper  understanding  of  his  obligations  and  duties  as  a  citizen 
and  as  an  officer  of  the  Army. 

TEXTBOOKS 

Elements  of  Law.     Davis,  G.  B.  Constitutional  Law.  Davis,  E.G. 
International  Law.  Davis,  G.  B.  Military  Law.     Dudley. 

BOOKS  OF  REFERENCE 

The  department  has  a  law  library  of  about  2,500  volumes, 
accessible  to  cadets. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  PRACTICAL  MILITARY  ENGINEERING, 
MILITARY  SIGNALING  AND  TELEGRAPHY 

FOURTH,  THIRD,  AND  FIRST  CLASSES 

Fourth  Class. — This  class  is  given  an  elementary  course  in  the 
theory  and  practice  of  surveying,  instruction  in  this  subject  alter- 


Appendix  343 

nating  with  mathematics  during  the  last  66  recitation  days  of  the 
academic  year.  From  May  ist  to  June  4th  the  entire  morning 
is  devoted  to  practical  instruction  in  the  methods  of  surveying 
and  in  the  use  and  adjustment  of  instruments.  During  this 
period  cadets  apply  in  the  field  the  principles  and  methods  taught 
them  in  their  theoretical  study  of  the  subject.  The  course 
includes  instruction  in  the  use  of  chains  and  tapes,  in  profile  and 
differential  leveling  and  in  earthwork  computations,  in  the  use  of 
compass,  plane  table,  transit  and  stadia  with  special  reference 
to  the  employment  of  these  instruments  in  military  topographic 
surveying.  The  slide  rule  used  to  facilitate  the  work  of  computa- 
tion, and  the  principles  upon  which  it  is  based  are  discussed  during 
the  theoretical  course. 

Third  Class. — During  the  period  of  the  summer  encampment 
the  cadets  of  this  class  receive  practical  instruction  in  military 
field  engineering  and  military  signaling.  The  course  in  field 
engineering  comprises  knots  and  lashings,  rowing,  construction 
of  floating  bridges  with  wooden  pontoons,  canvas  pontoons  and 
rafts,  and  instruction  in  military  camp  expedients.  The  course 
in  signaling  is  limited  to  visual  means  only,  including  the  flag, 
the  heliograph,  and  the  acetylene  lantern.  The  International 
Morse  Code  is  applied  in  the  transmission  of  short  messages  both 
plain  and  cypher. 

Simple  exercises  in  topographic  and  hydrographic  surveying 
are  also  given. 

First  Class. — During  the  summer  months  cadets  of  the  first 
class  are  instructed  in  military  reconnaissance  and  map  making. 
This  work  follows  close  upon  the  fundamental  instruction  in  the 
same  subject  given  in  the  Department  of  Drawing,  extends  the 
instruction  in  sketching  to  include  road  and  position  sketching, 
mounted  and  on  foot,  individual  and  combined.  Demonstrations 
and  limited  instruction  are  given  in  the  various  processes  of  map 
reproduction. 

In  the  fall  instruction  is  given  in  all  classes  of  improvised  bridges 
and  stream  crossing,  the  use  of  cordage  and  tackle,  erection  of 
derricks,  flagpoles,  etc.,  and  the  use  of  explosives  in  military 
demolitions. 

The  spring  course  is  on  field  fortification  work  including  the 
principles  of  locating,  tracing,  and  profiling  field  works,  the  con- 
struction of  trenches,  revetments,  obstacles,  head  cover,  splinter 
and  bomb  proofs.  This  instruction  is  arranged  in  a  progressive 


344  Appendix 

series  of  exercises,  resulting  finally  in  the  construction  of  a  section 
of  a  simple  infantry  redoubt. 

Military  signaling  is  taught  this  class  in  both  the  fall  and  spring 
periods;  the  work  covers  the  construction  and  operation  of  field- 
wire  and  buzzer  lines  and  the  radio-communication  equipment. 

TEXTBOOKS 

Theory  and  Practice  of  Surveying  (i;th  Edition). — Johnson — 
Smith. 

BOOKS  OF  REFERENCE 

Plane  Surveying.     Tracy. 

The  Engineer  Field  Manual.     Office  of  the  Chief  of  Engineers, 

U.  S.  A. 

Signal  Book,  U.  S.  Army.     Office  of  Chief  Signal  Officer,  U.  S.  A. 
The  Slide  Rule.     Alexander.     The  Slide  Rule.     Clark. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  ORDNANCE  AND  GUNNERY 

FIRST  CLASS 

The  subject  of  ordnance  and  gunnery  is  studied  by  the  cadets 
of  the  first  class  throughout  the  academic  year. 

The  course  of  instruction  covers  the  principles  involved  in  the 
construction  and  use  of  war  material.  It  is  broadly  divided 
into  three  parts:  the  theoretical,  the  descriptive,  and  the  practical. 
The  theoretical  part  includes  the  study  of  the  action  of  explosives, 
the  study  of  interior  and  exterior  ballistics,  the  theories  of  gun 
and  carriage  construction,  and  the  principles  of  gunnery.  The 
theoretical  part  of  the  course  is  not  the  same  for  all  cadets,  those 
showing  the  necessary  proficiency  taking  a  special  course  in  the 
time  devoted  by  the  remainder  of  the  class  to  review  work. 

The  descriptive  part  of  the  course  covers  the  processes  of 
manufacture  of  powders,  guns,  projectiles,  and  armor;  and  de- 
scribes the  small  arms,  cannon,  machine  and  rapid-fire  guns  in 
use  in  the  United  States  service,  with  the  carriages,  ammunition 
and  accessory  appliances  required  for  their  service.  The 
department  is  well  supplied  with  models,  which  are  used  in  con- 
junction with  the  text. 


Appendix  345 

The  practical  part  of  the  course  covers  the  operation  of  machines 
and  appliances  used  in  the  fabrication  of  modern  ordnance,  the 
latter  work  being  in  effect  a  short  but  valuable  course  in  manual 
training. 

In  connection  with  the  course,  visits  are  made  to  Watervliet 
Arsenal,  where  the  process  of  gun  construction  is  observed,  and  to 
the  Ordnance  Proving  Ground  at  Sandy  Hook,  where  actual 
firings  from  the  several  classes  of  guns  are  observed,  including 
usually  one  or  more  shots  against  armor,  and  where  the  latest 
developments  in  war  material  are  seen. 

TEXTBOOKS 

Ordnance  and  Gunnery.     Lissak. 

Exterior  Ballistics.     O'Hern. 

Stresses  in  Wire- Wrapped  Guns  and  in  Gun  Carriages.     Ruggles. 

BOOKS  OF  REFERENCE 

Ballistic  Tables.     Ingalls. 

Mathematical  Tables.     Newcomb. 

Publications  of  Ordnance  Department.     U.  S.  Army. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  MILITARY  HYGIENE 

THIRD  CLASS 

The  course  in  military  hygiene  begins  with  the  second  academic 
year  and  consists  of  13  recitations  and  6  demonstrations. 

The  textbook  used  is  Keefer's  Military  Hygiene;  the  instruction 
covers  the  essentials  in  the  care  of  troops  from  the  point  of  view 
of  the  line  officer,  particular  attention  being  given  to  personal 
hygiene,  transmissible  diseases,  post  and  camp  sanitation,  clothing, 
and  the  effects  of  alcohol  and  other  narcotics. 

Practical  demonstration  in  the  field  is  given  of  the  methods  of 
construction  and  operation  of  the  various  camp  sanitary 
appliances  such  as  latrines,  water  sterilizers,  incinerators,  etc. 

Instruction  in  first-aid  is  given  to  cadets  in  small  groups  by 
practical  demonstrations  in  the  treatment  of  wounds,  hemorrhage, 
fractures,  drowning,  poisoning,  and  other  emergencies. 


346  Appendix 

During  the  summer  practice  march,  practical  instruction  is 
given  in  camp  sanitation. 

TEXTBOOKS 

A  Textbook  of  Military  Hygiene  and  Sanitation.     Keefer. 

REFERENCE  BOOKS 

Military  Hygiene.     Havard. 

Elements  of  Military  Hygiene.     Ashburn. 

Practical  Hygiene.     Harrington. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  ENGLISH  AND  HISTORY 

FOURTH  CLASS 

The  course  in  English  and  History  begins  with  the  fourth  class 
in  September  and  continues  throughout  the  academic  year,  the 
whole  class  attending  daily  except  Saturday.  The  class  is  divided 
into  two  parts,  which  alternate  in  reciting  English  and  History. 

In  English,  the  course  of  instruction  is  planned  to  inculcate  the 
essential  principles  of  rhetoric,  both  by  study  of  the  textbook  and 
by  frequent  practice  in  the  various  forms  of  composition  (includ- 
ing practice  in  personal  and  official  correspondence),  to  create  an 
intelligent  appreciation  of  the  best  in  English  Literature  by  the 
study  of  selected  literary  masterpieces,  and  to  impart  a  knowledge 
of  the  important  facts  in  the  history  of  English  literature  and 
language  by  the  study  of  a  textbook  and  by  lectures. 

In  History,  the  course  of  instruction  is  planned  to  acquaint 
the  student  with  the  political,  social,  and  economic  history  of 
Europe  from  the  beginning  of  the  French  Revolution  to  the 
present  day,  to  make  hirn  familiar  with  the  fundamental 
principles  of  civil  government,  with  special  reference  to  the 
United  States,  and  to  give  him  knowledge  of  various  typical  forms 
of  modern  national  and  municipal  governments. 

TEXTBOOKS — ENGLISH 

English  Composition  in  Theory  and  Practice  (new  and  revised 

edition).     Henry  S.  Canby  and  others. 
Leading  English  Poets,  Ed.  by  Holt. 
Shakespeare's  Works. 
History  of  English  Literature,  by  W.  J.  Long. 


Appendix  347 


The  Major  Dramas  of  Sheridan. 
Selections  from  Addison. 
Slections  from  the  Prose  of  Macaulay. 
Selections  from  Stevenson. 

TEXTBOOKS — HISTORY 

The  Development  of  Modern  Europe,  Vol.  I.     By  J.  H.  Robinson 

and  C.  A.  Beard. 
Europe  since  1815.     C.  D.  Hazen. 
Introduction  to  the  Study  of  Government.     Holt. 

THE  LIBRARY 

Cadets  and  officers  have  free  access  to  the  library,  which 
comprises  over  95,000  books,  maps,  and  manuscripts.  The  collec- 
tion contains  substantially  all  standard  books  on  the  subjects 
taught  in  the  Academy  and  is  especially  complete  in  military 
subjects.  Its  card  catalogues  (about  338,000  cards)  are  arranged 
with  the  special  object  of  saving  the  time  of  cadets.  The  library 
is  open  on  week-days  from  8  A.M.  to  7 : 30  P.M.  ;  Saturdays  from 
8  A.M.  to  9:30  P.M.;  on  Sundays  and  Holidays  from  2  to  6  P.M. 

(A.  O.f  M.  A.,  July,  '16.) 


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35°  Appendix 

A  DICTIONARY  OF  CADET  SLANG 

A.  B.,  n.    Area  Bird,  term  used  to  designate  one  who  regularly 

walks  the  area. 

B.  A.,  n.    Busted  aristocrat.    Title  given  to  a  cadet  officer  who 

has  been  deprived  of  his  chevrons. 

B-ache,  n.    An  official  explanation  of  a  report. 

B-ache,  v.     To  submit  an  explanation,  to  talk. 

Beast,  n.  Name  given  to  new  cadets  during  their  first  few  weeks 
at  M.  A. 

Beast  Barracks,  n.  Designation  for  the  period  of  time  a  man  is 
a  beast:  the  first  three  weeks  when  he  is  quartered  in  bar- 
racks. 

Bird,  n.    See  A.  B. 

B.  J.,  a.  Literally  means  "bold  before  June";  as  applied  to  a 
fourth  classman  who  is  impertinent  and  fresh. 

Black  Book,  n.    Regulations,  U.  S.  M.  A. 

Blase*,  a.     Indifferent.     Syn.  B.  J. 

Bone,  v.    To  study. 

check  book.     To  be  economical. 

dis.     To  try  to  avoid  getting  demerits. 

efficiency.     To  be  military  for  no  apparent  reason. 

files.    To  strive  for  class  standing. 

make.     To  strive  for  chevrons. 

muck.     To  endeavor  to  increase  in  brawn. 

tenths.     To  study  hard  for  a  better  mark. 

Boodle,  n.  General  term  used  to  designate  all  eatables,  contra- 
band. 

Boodler  's,  n.    The  confectioner's. 

Bootlick,  v.    To  curry  favor  obsequiously,  to  praise. 

Bootlick,  n.    A   "stand  in." 

Bootlick  Alley,  n.  A  street  passing  in  front  of  the  officers'  tents 
in  camp  (off  limits  to  plebes). 

Brace,  n.  Term  applied  to  muscular  efforts  of  fourth  classmen 
to  look  military. 

Brace,  v.    To  assume  an  excessive  military  position.    Obsolete. 

B.  S.,  n.    Loquaciousness;  superfluity  of  talk. 

B.  S.,  v.    To  be  loquacious. 

Buck,  n.     Cadet  in  ranks;  one  who  has  no  chevrons. 

Bugle,  v.  To  stand  at  the  board  all  the  period  to  escape  reciting. 
(Not  applicable  to  first-class  year). 


Appendix  351 


Bump,  v.    To  deprive  cadet  officer  of  chevrons. 

Butt,  n.    The  remainder  of  anything,  as  the  butt  of  a  skag;  of  a 

month. 

Cit.,  w.     A  Civilian. 
Cits.,  w.     Civilian  clothing. 

Clean  Sleeve,  w.     A  cadet  who  has  never  worn  chevrons. 
Com.,  n.    Commandant  of  Cadets. 
Con.,  n.    Confinement. 
Corp.,  n.    Corporal. 
Crawl,   v.    To  correct  or  rebuke  someone   (especially  fourth 

classmen)  in  a  severe  manner. 
Crawling,  n.    A  rebuke. 

Deadbeat,  n.    An  easy  job;  one  who  deadbeats. 
Deadbeat,  v.     To  avoid  some  distasteful  duty. 
Dis.,  n.    Discipline. 
Dissy,  a.     Lacking  in  demerits. 
Div.,  n.    A  division  of  barracks. 
Doughboys,  n.    The  infantry. 
Drag,  v.    To  escort  a  lady ;  to  pull  a  man  out  of  bed ;  to  pull  off  a 

pair  of  white  trousers. 
Drag,  n.    A  puff  of  skag. 
Femme,  n.    A  member  of  the  fair  sex. 
Fess,  v.    To  fail. 
Fess,  n.    A  failure. 
File,  n.    A  member  of  the  male  sex;  one  of  the  successive  grades 

in  military  rank. 

Find,  v.     To  find  deficient  and  discharge. 
Flirtation,  n.    Flirtation  Walk. 

Formation,  n.    Any  military  function  or  military  gathering. 
Fried  Egg,  n.    The  crest  of  the  U.  S.  M.  A.  used  on  the  cap  and 

full  dress  hat. 

Gig,  v.    To  report  for  a  delinquency. 
Gig  List,  n.    The  delinquency  list. 
Goat,  n.    A  low  ranking  man  in  any  subject. 
Grind,  n.    A  joke. 
West  Point  Grind,  n.    A  practical  joke  of  the  kind  in  which  the 

victim  sees  no  humor. 
Gross,  a.     Lacking  in  intelligence. 
Growley,  n.    Tomato  catsup. 
Growley,  v.    To  blush. 


352  Appendix 

Gum,  v.    To  make  a  mistake. 

Gumstick,  n.     One  who  is  in  the  habit  of  gumming  it. 

Hell  Cats,  n.     The  U.  S.  M.  A.  detachment  of  field  music. 

Hell'Dodgers,  n.    Active  members  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 

Hive,  v.     To  understand;  to  discover. 

Hivey,  a.     Smart,  brainy,  able  to  understand  things. 

Ignorance  and  Gummery,  n.     Ordnance  and  Gunnery. 

Juliet,  H.     A  cadet  who  enters  in  July. 

Laundry  Spike,  n.     An  especially  long  pin  used  by  the  laundry; 

a  girl  who  works  in  the  laundry. 

Limits,  n.     The  boundary  beyond  which  a  cadet  may  not  go. 
L.  P.,  n.     A  person  who  is  undesirable. 
L.  P.,  v.     To  give  an  undesirable  task  to  anyone. 
Make,  n.     A  cadet  officer. 
Max,  n.     A  perfect  mark. 
Max,  v.     To  finish  a  job  in  a  perfect  manner. 
Missouri  National,  n.    A  tune  supposed  to  bring  rain. 
Muck  n.     Muscle. 
O.  C.,  n.     The  Officer  in  Charge. 
O.  D.,  n.    The  Officer  of  the  Day. 
O.  G.,  n.    The  Officer  of  the  Guard. 
— oid.     A  suffix  added  to  a  noun  or  a  verb  to  denote  the  agent  by 

which  the  action  in  the  noun  or  verb  is  accomplished,  i.  e. 

Ridoid — one  who  rides;  Hopoid — one  who  attends  hops. 
P.,  n.    A  Professor. 
P.  C.  S.,  n.     Previous  condition  of  servitude.     Occupation  before 

entering. 

P.  D.,  n.     Pennsylvania  Dutchman. 
Pipe,  v.    To  look  forward  to  anything;  to  build  castles  in  the 

air. 

Plebe,  n.    A  fourth  classman. 
Plebeskin,  n.    A  flannel  blouse  issued  to  new  cadets.    Very  badly 

fitting. 

Plebeskin,  n.    A  report  for  hazing. 
P.  M.  E.,  n.     Practical  Military  Engineering. 
Podunk,  n.    A  cadet's  home  town.     A  name  applied  to  any 

small  town  to  denote  its  insignificance;  a  local  newspaper. 
Police,  v.     To  discard;  to  relegate  to  the  scrap  pile;  to  throw 

from  a  horse's  back;  to  clean  up,  as  to  police  a  room. 
Poop,  v.    To  memorize  verbatim. 


Appendix  353 


Poop,  w.     One  who  memorizes  by  heart. 

Poop  Deck,  n.    The  balcony  of  the  south  cadet  guard  house, 

used  by  the  officer  in  charge. 

Pred.,  «.     Predecessor;  a  cadet's  forerunner  in  office. 
P.  S.,  v.    To  spoon  on  the  post. 

Quill,  n.    A  person  addicted  to  reporting  cadets  on  every  op- 
portunity; subject  matter  for  a  report. 
Recognize,  v.    To  admit  a  fourth  classman  to  the  upperclass 

status. 
Reverse,_n.     A  position  of  disfavor,  "as  to  get  a  reverse  on  the 

tac. 

Run-it-on,  v .    To  take  advantage  of. 
Scavenge,  v.     To  acquire  something  that  someone  else  no  longer 

wants  or  has  thrown  away. 
Skag,  n.    A  cigarette. 
Skin,  n.     A  report  for  delinquency. 
Skin,  v.     To  report  a  delinquent. 
Skin  list,  n.     The  delinquency  list . . 
Slug,  n.     A  disagreeable  duty ;  an  award  of  special  punishment  for 

some  major  offense. 

Soiree,  n.     An  unpleasant  task  or  duty. 
Soire"e,  v.     To  cause  inconvenience  or  annoyance. 
Speck,  v.     To  commit  to  memory. 
Speck,  n.     One  who  commits  to  memory. 
Slum,  n.     Mess  Hall  stew  (unknown  ingredients). 
Soundoff,  n.     A  voice  capable  of  being  heard  at  long  range. 
Sound  off,  v.     To  bellow;  to  use  the  voice  to  the  limit  of  its 

capacity. 

Spoon,  v.     To  court,  amuse,  entertain,  or  converse  with  a  femme. 
Spoony  Up,  v .     To  make  neat  or  attractive. 
Step  Out,  v.     To  hurry. 
Sub-div.,  n.    A  subdivision  of  barracks:  a  cadet  officer  in  charge 

of  a  subdivision. 
Supe,  n.     The  Superintendent. 
Tac,  n.     A  Tactical  Officer. 
T.  D.,  n.     The  Department  of  Tactics. 
Tarbucket,  n.     The  full  dress  hat. 
Tenth,  «.     The  smallest  division  of  the  West  Point  system  of 

marking. 
Tie  Up,  v.     To  get  a  thing  gloriously  mixed  up. 


354 


Appendix 


Turnback,  n.    A  cadet  who  has  been  turned  back  to  join  the  next 

succeeding  class. 

Walri,  n.     One  who  cannot  swim. 
Writ,  n.     A  written  review  recitation. 
Yearling,  n.    A  third  classman. 


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